Labour’s Minister for Care, Stephen Kinnock has confirmed an extra £25 million in funding for children and adult hospices across the United Kingdom, including £1,152,826 for the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice in Farnham.

The Hospice is one of 158 adult and children’s hospices set to benefit from this additional top up, which provides vital end-of-life care to patients in the hospice and in the community.

The additional funding will help fund urgent building repairs, better facilities and patient rooms, new outdoor spaces, and improved IT equipment. It brings the total funding pot provided to hospices to a significant £125 million across England over the past two financial years – the largest investment in a generation.

The additional investment follows the Government’s commitment to a multi-year settlement of £80 million across England for children’s hospices over three years, providing certainty for vital services providing support for seriously ill children and 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.”

John Gaskell, Chair of Farnham and Bordon Labour Party said: “I know that Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice delivers crucial care and support for people with life-limiting conditions and their loved ones in and around Surrey and Hampshire.

“I’m proud that this Labour Government is supporting palliative and end of life care and this announcement will make such a difference to Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice who provide such invaluable support in our community.”

The Government will also publish a palliative care and end of life care modern service framework (MSF) this year, which will improve access, quality and sustainability in the sector. The MSF is being developed through engagement with the sector and will address the crucial challenges the sector has warned about, including avoidable hospital admissions, variation in local and regional provision of care in terms of both access and quality, workforce shortages and gaps in 24/7 palliative care provision.