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A recent reversal in funding decisions by the Department of Health (DoH) has been met with relief by providers of hospice and end-of-life care services across Northern Ireland. The department has now pledged a one-off payment of £1.1 million to support the region’s four hospices, alongside an additional £500,000 directed to the Children’s Hospice. This move comes after earlier indications that financial constraints would prevent implementation of earlier funding recommendations.
Despite the welcome nature of this injection of funds, the payments are not guaranteed beyond this initial allocation, creating uncertainty for future hospice finances. Earlier in the week, the Hospice Alliance, representing Foyle Hospice, Evora Hospice, Marie Curie NI, and the Northern Ireland Hospice, had discussions with Health Minister Mike Nesbitt regarding support for their services. Currently, government funds cover just 30% of hospice operations, with the remainder reliant on fundraising efforts, which are becoming increasingly difficult.
Trevor McCartney, CEO of the Hospice Alliance, expressed optimism about the financial support, acknowledging the sector’s ongoing funding crisis. “We’re in a situation where the fundraising we would normally get is starting to become more and more difficult, so this is absolutely critical funding,” he said, emphasizing that the money will be directly used to aid patient care. He also highlighted the scale of the sector’s work, noting the care provided to around 13,000 patients annually and the approximately 30,000 community visits conducted each year.
Looking ahead, the Hospice Alliance stressed the importance of securing long-term financial stability. Although the current funding addresses immediate needs, they called for a sustainable model aligned with the health committee’s recommendations. The minister has promised to collaborate with the alliance to achieve this, aiming for clarity and stability in hospice funding by the 2027/28 financial year. Previously, Department officials had described a move to 100% government funding for hospices as “challenging” due to budget pressures, a stance that drew criticism from Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
The health committee’s December report into palliative care highlighted substantial shortcomings in service provision, including many instances where patients had to be treated or died in emergency departments due to a lack of out-of-hours palliative care. Among its suggestions were the introduction of legislation to formalize commissioning and funding for palliative care, appointment of an independent regional clinical lead, and prioritization of these critical services. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt expressed his commitment to working alongside hospices to develop future services, describing the new investment as a vital step to alleviating financial pressures and preserving the essential care hospices provide. He also pledged an independent review of the existing funding model to ensure it meets the sector’s needs moving forward
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