Children’s hospices need ringfenced cash

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/may/14/children-hospices-ringfenced-cash

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Short breaks for families caring for a child who may not reach adulthood mean more than just a holiday – they provide vital respite and help families to cope with the pressure of providing round-the-clock care for their children. These families rely on frequent short breaks with specialist care, provided by a range of organisations including children’s hospices, to enable them to spend time as a family – recharging batteries, making memories with the seriously ill child and spending quality time with brothers and sisters. However, too few local authorities fund these crucial services for children with complex conditions, meaning families struggle and will often need more expensive emergency support from health or social care.

This Children’s Hospice Week (11-17 May) we are calling on the new government to ensure that there is fair and sustainable funding for short breaks through a new, ringfenced fund, allocated to local authorities in England. Without this, families – many of whom are already at breaking point – risk losing out on the support they need.Barbara Gelb Chief executive, Together for Short LivesPeter Branson Chief executive, Forget Me Not Children’s HospiceDavid Burland Chief executive, Shooting Star ChaseGraham Butland Chief executive, East Anglia Children’s HospicesRyan Campbell Chief executive, Demelza Hospice Care for ChildrenAndy Campbell Chief executive, Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young PeopleClaire Cardy Chief executive, EllenorGeorgina Cox Chief executive, Derian House Children’s HospiceClare Edwards Interim chief executive, Helen and Douglas HouseMartin Edwards Chief executive, Julia’s House, the Dorset and Wiltshire Children’s HospicesJames Ellam Chief executive, St Oswald’s HospicePeter Ellis Chief executive, Richard House Children’s HospiceEddie Farwell Chief executive, Children’s Hospice South WestAndy Goldsmith Chief executive, Hope House Children’s HospicesDavid Houston Chief executive, Trinity Hospice and Palliative Care ServicesMike Keel Chief executive, Keech Hospice CareGraham Leggatt-Chidgey Chief executive, Butterwick Hospice CareHugh Lowson Chief executive, Chestnut Tree House Children’s HospiceMike McDonald Chief executive, The Donna Louise Children’s HospiceAngela  Monaghan Chief executive, Martin House Children’s HospiceJoanne Page General manager, James Hopkins TrustMike Palfreman Chief executive, Haven HouseDavid Pastor Chief executive, Claire House Children’s HospiceJenny Provin Chief executive, Rennie Grove Hospice CareClaire Rintoul Chief executive, Bluebell Wood Children’s HospiceChris Robinson Chief executive, Naomi House Children’s HospiceAndy Smith Chief executive, Havens HospicesJoan Stainsby Executive trustee, Zoë’s Place Baby HospiceDavid Strudley Chief executive, Acorns Children’s Hospice