Children's hospice care to get major cash boost

Health Secretary Andy Burnham said 15m of the extra money would go to children's hospices to help them, include more outreach services.

The other 15m is being allocated to palliative care within the NHS, with a focus towards community children's nurses.

Barbara Gelb, chief executive of Children's Hospices UK, welcomed the extra cash but said hospices still had to rely "overwhelmingly" on the public for their funds.

Ms Gelb said: "This tremendous boost will enable children's hospice services in England to increase the invaluable support they give to children, young people and families in their own homes. It is also great news that the role of children's nurses, with whom children's hospices work closely, will be strengthened.

"However, even with this one-off cash injection, children's hospices, which are all registered charities, will still rely overwhelmingly on their local communities for funding."

Mr Burnham said: "For too long, services have been organised to fit the convenience of the system. A great NHS will put the convenience of the patient first, and move services towards them where it is safe to do so.

"But care in the home can also achieve better results and save money. For anyone, facing major treatment can be scary – but particularly when you're young.

"At times like this children want their mum and dad close by at all times and this announcement helps achieve that."