Children’s Hospice Services at Risk Amid Budget Cuts
Jessie May, a children’s hospice at home service, is calling on the next UK government to urgently address the critical funding crisis impacting children’s hospice services.
With rising costs and insufficient long-term funding, essential support for families with life-limited children is under severe threat.
Albie and Louis, two-year-old twins, are among the children benefiting from the dedicated care provided by Jessie May nurses in the South West. Their mother, Alex, shares the profound impact of this support: “Our Lifetime nurse saw our exhaustion and referred us to Jessie May. The team was so friendly and amazing with the boys, I felt at ease very quickly.”
Jessie May’s specialist nurses offer in-home nursing and respite care, allowing parents like Alex to manage the complex needs of their children while also finding precious time for themselves and their other children. “The team plays with the boys, feeds them, bathes them, and gets them ready for bed—some of the most stressful components of their routine,” Alex explains. This support enables her to spend quality one-on-one time with her eldest son, a vital respite from the daily demands of caring for Albie and Louis.
The funding crisis, detailed in the recent report “Short Lives Can’t Wait: Children’s Hospice Funding in 2024” by Together for Short Lives, reveals a projected deficit exceeding £30 million for children’s hospices in the coming year. Jessie May, like many other hospices, faces unprecedented financial challenges that threaten to reduce or eliminate these crucial services.
Alex’s experience underscores the irreplaceable role of Jessie May: “Behind every child with complex needs is a family exhausted and continually fighting for support. Jessie May understands that caregivers need respite and strives to make life a little easier. We would be lost without their support.”
Jessie May urges the next UK government to prioritise sustainable funding for children’s hospice services, ensuring these lifeline services remain available to families in need. The charity also encourages local communities to support their efforts and help safeguard the future of children’s palliative care.
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