Extra funding for our local hospices

Alistair Strathern, MP for Hitchin, has welcomed news that the Government is investing an extra £370k in hospices serving his constituency after he campaigned to alleviate hospice funding pressures in Parliament last year.

The Government is providing Keech Hospice Care in Luton an extra £262,476 while Garden House Hospice in Hertfordshire will receive an additional £110,013. These funds are part of an extra £25m funding for hospices across the country announced by Health Minister Stephen Kinnock last week.

Over recent months Mr. Strathern has been pressing the case for additional funding for hospices in Parliament. Raising the issue in the Commons chamber and meeting with Minister Kinnock to highlight the needs of Garden House and Keech Hospices in his constituency. He has been in regular discussions with hospice leaders, successfully pressing local NHS funders to restructure investment and collaborating with Hospice UK to champion their work.

This new injection brings the total funding pot for hospices to £125 million across England over the past two financial years, which is the largest in a generation.

The additional money follows the Government’s commitment to a multi‑year settlement of £80 million for children’s hospices over three years, providing greater stability for services supporting seriously ill children and their families.

Minister of State for Care Stephen Kinnock said:

“I am delighted that this additional cash boost has now been allocated to hospices. I thank Hospice UK for facilitating this so quickly, so hospices can swiftly contract any vital work and upgrades — making sure patients are being treated in the best possible environment.

“As Minister for Care, I am determined to transform palliative and end‑of‑life care by implementing a modern services framework. This will reduce the postcode lottery so every patient and family can get the high‑quality care they deserve.

“This Labour Government is delivering an NHS that is fit for the future, including by shifting care out of hospitals and into the community.”

Alistair Strathern, MP for Hitchin, said:

“I know how crucial the work of Keech Hospice Care and Garden House Hospice is for families across our community at incredibly difficult moments. Their teams provide exceptional, compassionate, and expert support for people with life‑limiting conditions and for loved ones going through some of the most difficult times.

“That’s why I have been working closely with both Garden House and Keech to champion their work locally and press the case for further funding in Parliament.

“I’m glad Ministers have heard these calls and announced this welcome additional funding for our hospices.

“There is plenty more to do though. I’ll be continuing our work with both hospices to make the case for a long term, sustainable funding settlement. Ensuring we deliver on the Government’s ambitious commitment to hospices through the potentially transformative Modern Service Framework.

The Government will publish a palliative and end‑of‑life care Modern Service Framework later this year, designed to improve access, quality, and sustainability across the sector. The Framework is being developed with hospice leaders and will address key challenges including avoidable hospital admissions, variation in local provision, workforce shortages, and gaps in 24/7 palliative care.

ENDS