The funding is a mix of previous allocations, with an additional £2.4milliion, intended to support independent hospices like St Columba’s. The investment represents a major step forward on progressing the national ambition for hospice staff to achieve pay parity with their colleagues in the NHS.

 

Jackie Stone, CEO of St Columba’s Hospice Care, said: “We warmly welcome the increased funding for hospices announced by the Scottish Government this week. Demand for hospice care is rising year after year, and hospices like ours are being asked to deliver more complex care for people, but with resources that are already stretched to breaking point. Whilst we acknowledge this uplift is a much-needed step towards ensuring our vital services can deliver pay parity with the NHS, it cannot be the end of the conversation. We look forward to continuing to work with the Scottish Government on a sustainable, long-term funding framework to secure the future of hospice care across Scotland.”