Welsh children’s hospices urge parties to back long-term funding ahead of Senedd Election
Welsh children’s hospices urge parties to back long-term funding ahead of Senedd Election
Wales’ two children’s hospices—Tŷ Hafan in South Wales and Tŷ Gobaith in the North—are urging all Welsh political parties to commit to sustainable, long-term funding for children with life-shortening conditions, ahead of this year’s Children’s Hospice Week, which runs from June 16 to 22.
In a joint appeal, the hospices are calling for a pledge to fund at least 25% of care costs by 2025, increasing to 30% by 2030. This would translate to a rise in statutory support from the £2.3 million expected in 2025/26 to approximately £3.2 million in the same year, reaching nearly £5 million by the end of the decade.
The proposed £2.7 million uplift over four years is being presented as a modest but critical investment to allow hospices to plan ahead, retain specialist staff, and continue delivering care to some of Wales’ most vulnerable children.
“Across Wales, children with life-threatening conditions are not getting the support they need,” said Andy Goldsmith, Chief Executive of Tŷ Gobaith. “Families are facing increasing challenges as NHS and local authority services come under pressure. That’s why fair and sustainable funding is so vital.”
Goldsmith emphasised that consistent funding would help bring specialist care closer to families in rural and underserved areas. “Accessing hospice services can be a postcode lottery,” he warned. “We want every child to receive the best possible care, regardless of where they live.”
Wales has seen a sharp rise in the number of children living with complex, life-shortening conditions over the last decade, according to the hospices. Yet despite the growing demand, the majority of hospice services are still funded by public donations.
“This is not about competing with the NHS for resources,” said Irfon Rees, Chief Executive of Tŷ Hafan. “We’re a charitable partner to the health service, offering cost-effective, specialist care to medically complex children and their families.”
Rees noted that while the Welsh Government has provided one-off funding for 2024/25 and uplifted hospice funding in the 2025/26 draft budget, there is currently no guarantee of support beyond this Senedd term.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received,” Rees said, “but to continue delivering these essential services, we need certainty beyond next year. We believe it’s only fair that the next Welsh Government commits to a proper funding partnership.”
The call to action comes ahead of Children’s Hospice Week, a national awareness campaign designed to highlight the vital work of children’s hospices. Both Tŷ Hafan and Tŷ Gobaith are hopeful that at least one major political party will incorporate their funding pledge into upcoming election manifestos.
“Ultimately, this is about giving children the best quality of life—and their families the support they need to keep going,” said Goldsmith. “We’re asking politicians to stand up and say: these children matter.”
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