St Michael’s Hospice will receive £258,000 as part of a national £75 million package for more than 170 hospices across England, announced by the Labour government to improve end-of-life care facilities.
The funding will support upgrades to specially adapted beds, rooms, and technology, to ensure patients receive care in comfortable, dignified surroundings.
Luke Murphy, MP for Basingstoke, said: “I’m so pleased that this [[Labour]] Government has allocated important funding to hospices across England and right here in Basingstoke.
“I have seen firsthand the brilliant work that St Michael’s Hospice do, providing an invaluable support in our community for people with life-limiting conditions and their loved ones. This government funding will make a real difference to people who need end-of-life care and comes after an initial £86,000 funding injection announced earlier this year for the local hospice.”
Luke Murphy MP at St Michael’s Hospice with Chief Executive Iain Cameron (Image: Labour) This investment is part of the government’s Plan for Change, which aims to improve care in the community where people need it most.
Minister for Care Stephen Kinnock said: “Hospices play a vital role in our society by providing invaluable care and support when people need it most. At this most difficult time, people deserve to receive the best care in the best possible environment with dignity…Our funding is already making a real difference to improving facilities for patients and families. This additional funding will deliver further upgrades, relieving pressure on day-to-day spending.
“End-of-life care is crucial to our 10 Year Health Plan and our fundamental shift of moving more care out of hospital and into the community. We will continue to support hospices so they can deliver their vital work.”
Luke Murphy MP at St Michael’s Hospice (Image: Labour)
Improvements already made at hospices due to the increased funding for hospice care include modernised facilities, improvements to data sharing between healthcare providers, development of outreach services, creation of more welcoming spaces for families and energy efficiency measures to improve sustainability.
The new cash injection is for the financial year 2025/26 and will be distributed by Hospice UK to hospices. Hospices will be able to proceed with upgrades, invoicing Hospice UK once work has been completed.