by BILL HEANEY
Hospice Care is not just for middle-class or well-heeled families, but for people from deprived backgrounds too.
Marie Curie estimates that one Scot in three of those who die has unmet palliative care needs.
Labour MSP Joe Long, left, told the Scottish Parliament yesterday: “Hospice care sits within a wider ecosystem of palliative care. Marie Curie estimates that one Scot in three who dies has unmet palliative care needs.“The Scottish National Party Government remains committed to the development of a new national framework to support more effective planning and commissioning of the palliative care that is provided by independent hospices.
“I met the Scottish hospice leadership group and Hospice UK just last month, and we plan to work closely with them to develop terms of reference for that work.
“We will engage with key partners in the statutory sector to take that work forward, recognising that integration joint boards remain legally responsible for the planning and commissioning of palliative care services, including independent hospices, to meet the needs of our local communities.”
Sanne Dijkstra-Downie, right, said she was pleased to hear that those conversations are taking place with the sector. St Columba’s hospice in north Edinburgh provides vital compassionate care at a critical time for families, but, as it is an independent hospice, only 21 per cent of its funding comes from the Government, with the remainder being raised through fundraising and partnerships. With costs and demand rising, that is simply not sustainable.She added: “Funding top-ups through yearly budgets are welcome but do not give the long-term financial sustainability that the sector needs. When will the minister be able to give clarity on the long-term fair funding that the sector is asking for?”
Alison Thewliss, left, said she agreed – “Hospices provide vital support. It was good to hear at the reception the other night the difference that makes to families, not just when their loved one is going through hospice care but through the support that they receive from hospices even after their loved one has passed away. Hospices make an incredible difference.”“Children’s Hospices Across Scotland, which recently celebrated its 21st birthday, supported 126 children across Scotland last year. Will the minister join me in wishing CHAS a happy birthday, and will she set out what support the Government is giving to ensure that it can continue to deliver its vital services?”
“We are committed to supporting and working in partnership with CHAS as we deliver our five-year palliative care strategy. In 2025-26, we facilitated through health boards additional funding for CHAS, which totalled £2.6 million on top of the £7 million that it receives annually.
“Funding to ensure that its hospice staff are paid in line with their NHS counterparts has also been forthcoming. That has brought CHAS’s total funding to more than £10 million.”
Joe Long said it was important for the Government to ensure that palliative care is available to all who need it, particularly those in areas of socioeconomic deprivation.
The Minister assured him: “Through the negotiations that we are undertaking, we hope to make hospice care available to all who need it. It is important to put on the record that not all care that hospices provide takes place in hospice buildings.
“A huge amount of care goes on in our communities. That work is at the forefront of that care, given how important it can be to people. Many people do not want to be in a hospice, as nice and as good an environment as that can be, and prefer to be in their homes, which is increasingly possible due to the support that hospices have had.”
The top-of-page picture is of Sister Rita and Scotland football star John McGinn, who helps to raise funds for the St Margaret of Scotland Hospice in West Dunbartonshire.