Welsh Governement announce £6.4m end-of-life care funding

A £6.4m funding package to support hospices and provide palliative care across Wales has been announced by the Health Minister Mark Drakeford (pictured).

The new funding for hospices and health boards in 2014-15 will ensure specialist consultant, nurse and other health support for palliative care is available in all parts of the country.

Palliative care focuses on relieving and preventing the suffering of patients, including those nearing the end of their life. Health professionals – including doctors, nurses, psychologists and social workers – work together to relieve suffering in all areas of a patient’s life.

Last year, the Welsh Government published its Delivering End of Life Care Plan, which aims to reduce inequalities in end-of-life care and maintain an individual’s dignity in their last days of life.

The Welsh Government is making £2.6m available specifically for palliative care provided by voluntary-sector hospices; £3.828m will be allocated to health boards.

Professor Drakeford said:“No matter where you live in Wales, patients approaching the end of their lives should have access to consistently good care and support. With advances in modern medicine and treatment, more people live longer with incurable diseases.

“Whether a person wishes to die in hospital, in a hospice or at home, we are providing funding to make sure the right level of professional, caring support is available.  

“Where death can be expected, we must be prepared to have honest and open conversations about the end of life – it should not be a taboo subject. Preparing and planning for the end of life with the involvement of family, carers and professionals is essential to the delivery of high-quality care.”