The Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) following a 50% increase in the number of children with life-shortening conditions over the past decade
The Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) is to receive £30 million in funding from the Scottish Government over the next five years.
The charity is being awarded the cash as part of Holyrood plans to increase investment in specialist children’s palliative care and end of life services as the number of those with life-shortening conditions has risen by 50% in the last 10 years.
Announcing the funding, health secretary Shona Robison said the government was committed to ensuring that everyone who needs palliative care can get it by the end of this parliament.
We want to reach all families who need our care, and increased and sustainable statutory and voluntary funding will allow us to further our service
“We know caring for a child with a life-shortening condition can place extreme demands on families, and CHAS are a vital part of the support mechanisms in place in Scotland," said Robison.
“This funding of approximately £30 million over the next five years will help support a huge number of children and families through the most difficult circumstances, ensuring they are able to spend quality time together. Alongside the fantastic fundraising by the organisation, this investment will make a huge difference to the work CHAS is able to undertake.”
CHAS is the only charity in Scotland that provides hospice services for children and young people with life-shortening conditions.
It currently helps supports around 415 families at its two children’s hospices, Rachel House in Kinross and Robin House in Balloch. Its homecare service, CHAS at Home, helps families in their own homes across Scotland when they need it most.
Professor Gordon Dickson, CHAS chairman, said the funding would allow the charity to increase the services it offers.
“I welcome the Scottish Government’s funding commitment for CHAS and appreciate its confidence that CHAS will continue to deliver exemplary palliative care for children in Scotland," he said.
“This investment supports the Scottish Government’s commitment to promote children’s palliative care for children and young people.
“We are the national hospice service for children in Scotland and we know that more and more babies, children and young people need our care.
“We want to reach all families who need our care, and increased and sustainable statutory and voluntary funding will allow us to further our service. Today’s commitment by the Scottish Government is an encouraging step towards all children in Scotland getting the palliative care they need.”
