We welcome the recognition from Scottish Government today that the hospice sector in Scotland is in need of more support.
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We urgently need clarity from Scottish Government as to what the £4 million referenced in the chamber is intended to cover.
There is an important principle that has been recognised that the state should meet increased salary costs faced by hospices when NHS salaries are increased. Again, we need clarity on what that will mean in practice for hospice care staff across all roles.
But the hospice sector is still facing a significant deficit this year. We urge Scottish Government to provide further in-year financial support to address the black hole left by years of statutory funding not keeping pace with rising costs. Today’s announcement also does not appear to address the additional £2.5m increased cost of national insurance contributions facing the hospice sector.
Scottish Government also needs to deliver on its commitment for a new national funding framework for hospice care, to ensure that funding is fair and sustainable for the long-term.
