Scarborough Hospice Awarded £104k of Government Funding

St Catherine’s Hospice will receive £104, 720 from the government's "Plan for Change" funding.

The government has confirmed the release of £25 million for upgrades and refurbishments for hospices across England, including in Scarborough and Whitby.

An additional £75 million will be available from April as part of the largest investment in hospices in a generation. The funding will modernise facilities, improve IT systems and ensure patients receive the highest quality care.

Hospices will begin receiving £25 million for facility upgrades and refurbishments from today as part of the biggest investment into hospices in a generation. St Catherine’s Hospice will receive £104, 720 in Government funding. 

After lobbying hard on behalf of local hospice St Catherine’s Hospice, Scarborough and Whitby MP Alison Hume has welcomed what the government says is "the biggest investment in a generation for hospices, ensuring that hospices can continue to deliver the highest quality end of life care possible for their patients, families, and loved ones."

Alison Hume, MP for Scarborough and Whitby, said:

“I’m delighted that this Labour government has allocated this important funding to our hospices. St. Catherine's Hospice does a wonderful job providing support for people with life-limiting conditions and their loved ones. Serving our community for 40 years, the hospice offers a range of services such as in-patient care, home care, therapy services, and specialist nursing. The hospice relies heavily on fundraising and community support to meet its financial needs, and this funding of over £104,720 will make a real difference to the residents and staff.”

“St. Catherine's Hospice provides exceptional, compassionate care, ensuring every patient and their family receive the support and dignity they deserve during life's most challenging moments. I am delighted they have been awarded this funding from the government, which will help them continue their invaluable work in our community. Having visited the hospice and met with the dedicated staff, I have witnessed firsthand the invaluable care they provide to people in our community.”

“I want a society where every person receives high-quality, compassionate care from diagnosis through to the end of life.”

The cash will be distributed immediately for the 2024/25 financial year, with a further £75 million to follow from April. The immediate cash injection, allocated through Hospice UK from the Department of Health and Social Care, will enable hospices to purchase essential new medical equipment, undertake building refurbishments, improve technology, upgrade facilities for patients and families and implement energy efficiency measures.

The larger £75 million investment will support more substantial capital projects - including major building works and facility modernisation - throughout the next financial year.

The Chief Executive Officer of Saint Catherine’s, Ray Baird has also welcomed the government announcement and said:

“I am deeply appreciative for the government funding which is being made available to hospices from the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care,” 

“This recognition for the work we do, and the current financial challenges we face, comes at a pivotal time for hospices like ours. We are mindful that there are challenges ahead in making our case for government funding but we’re hopeful the government will recognise the immense difference it would make to our sustainability. 

Government funding would mean we could plan for the future as well as continuing to deliver compassionate and dignified high-quality care to patients and their families, during some of life’s most difficult moments.”

The cash forms a key part of the government’s Plan for Change, improving care in the community where people need it most. 

Minister for Care Stephen Kinnock said:

“This is the largest investment in a generation to help transform hospice facilities across England. From upgrading patient rooms to improving gardens and outdoor spaces, this funding will make a real difference to people at the end of their lives.

“Hospices provide invaluable care and support when people need it most and this funding boost will ensure they are able to continue delivering exceptional care in better, modernised facilities.”