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Cameron pledges hospice funding Cameron pledges hospice funding
(about 1 hour later)
David Cameron says he will act to guarantee more funding for hospices which treat terminally ill children, if the Conservatives win the election.David Cameron says he will act to guarantee more funding for hospices which treat terminally ill children, if the Conservatives win the election.
The Tory leader, whose six-year-old son Ivan died this year, said he would ensure "proper funding" for the sector.The Tory leader, whose six-year-old son Ivan died this year, said he would ensure "proper funding" for the sector.
Children's hospices and hospice-at-home care get a £10m-a-year government grant but it is due to expire in March 2011.Children's hospices and hospice-at-home care get a £10m-a-year government grant but it is due to expire in March 2011.
Mr Cameron said he would extend it before introducing a new system where hospices would be funded per patient. Care services minister Phil Hope said post-2011 funding would be considered as part of the next spending review.
'Vital support'
Mr Cameron said he would extend the £10m annual grant before introducing a new system where hospices would be funded per patient.
On a visit to the Rainbows Hospice in Loughborough earlier, Mr Cameron said it was "essential" that parents and carers get the support they need to care for their children.On a visit to the Rainbows Hospice in Loughborough earlier, Mr Cameron said it was "essential" that parents and carers get the support they need to care for their children.
"Hospices provide a vital part of that support. They are a sanctuary for parents looking for specialist help and understanding, a special place for children to have short breaks and - most importantly - a loving, professional environment for care at the end of a child's life."Hospices provide a vital part of that support. They are a sanctuary for parents looking for specialist help and understanding, a special place for children to have short breaks and - most importantly - a loving, professional environment for care at the end of a child's life.
"So it is extremely concerning to hear that the grant runs out in March 2011 and there are no current plans to renew it. The Conservative Party is today making a commitment to ensuring that proper funding for this essential sector can continue.""So it is extremely concerning to hear that the grant runs out in March 2011 and there are no current plans to renew it. The Conservative Party is today making a commitment to ensuring that proper funding for this essential sector can continue."
In response Mr Hope said he wanted all children who need it to get the "sensitive and family centred care" that hospices provide.
He said the government was investing £47m over five years in children's hospices and had announced £30m for children's palliative and end-of-life care from 2008-2011.
He added: "We recognise the importance of these services and the government will be actively considering funding for children's hospices beyond 1 April 2011 as part of the next spending review."