Burt calls for better funding of children hospices

2.00.43pm GMT Mon 20th Nov 2006

Worcestershire Liberal Democrats campaigner, Richard Burt recently visited the Acorns Children's Hospice in Worcester and called for an increase in long term state funding to avoid a repeat of this year's forced bed closures.

Four out of ten beds at the hospice were closed following the loss of Lottery funding last March, but recently announced grant aid, providing £1million over three years for Acorns in Worcester, has allowed new staff to be appointed and for the beds to be brought back into service by Christmas.

Following his visit, Richard Burt made a submission to the Kraft review led by Sir Alan Kraft and Sue Killen calling for an increase in state funding for children's hospices from 10% to 30%, to match the funding for adult hospices.

"Acorns have to raise £10million a year from charitable donations to run three hospices in the West Midlands and sadly, there is still not enough capacity. It really is time for the Government to provide the same long term financial stability for children's hospices that it provides for adult services.

"Acorns gives the very best in palliative care for children in Worcestershire and also provides close support for families. There is a huge fundraising organisation that supports this work and the public are very generous, but it really is time for Ministers to end the uncertainty of short term funding arrangements and accept a fair share of the responsibility."