Overview

This bill mandates a government review of children's hospice funding in England, assessing its adequacy and equitable access to care. The review will inform proposals for guaranteeing access to hospices for all children needing palliative care, ensuring long-term funding and high-quality care regardless of location.

Description

The Children's Hospices (Funding) Bill requires the Secretary of State to conduct a comprehensive review of children's hospice funding in England. This review must assess:

• The sufficiency of current funding.
• Whether funding ensures fair access to high-quality palliative care for all seriously ill children.

The review must consider:

• The existing funding model.
• The level of government funding.
• The potential benefits of centralized funding.
• The impact of the integrated care board model.
• The long-term financial security of children's hospices.

The Secretary of State must consult healthcare providers, hospice workers, and parent/patient groups. A report must be submitted to Parliament within one year. Following the review, the Secretary of State must publish proposals to guarantee hospice access for all children needing palliative care. These proposals must address long-term funding and ensure high-quality care for all children, irrespective of location, and be presented to Parliament within three months of the review report.

Government Spending

The bill itself doesn't specify any figures for increased government spending. However, the review and subsequent proposals are expected to lead to recommendations that may increase government funding for children's hospices in England. The exact financial implications will depend on the outcome of the review and the government's response to the proposals.

Groups Affected

The bill will directly affect:

• Children's Hospices: Funding levels and long-term financial security are key concerns.
• Seriously ill children and their families: Access to palliative care and the quality of that care will be impacted.
• Healthcare providers and hospice workers: The review and its recommendations will affect their working conditions and resource availability.
• Integrated Care Boards (ICBs): Their role in funding and managing children's hospice services may change.

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