HOSPICES such as the Hospice of the Good Shepherd in Backford are to receive a welcome funding boost from the Government.

It was announced on Wednesday, April 8 by Chancellor Rishi Sunak that tens of thousands of charities across the UK were to split a £750 million package of support so they can continue their work during the coronavirus outbreak.

Of that support, £360 million will be directly allocated by government departments to charities providing key services and supporting vulnerable people during the crisis, such as the Hospice of the Good Shepherd.

Ellesmere Port and Neston MP Justin Madders welcomed the news, having previously written to Minister of State for Care Helen Whately urging seeking answers on what Government support there would be for hospices.

In his letter, he wrote: "With the average adults hospice in the UK receiving only 30 per cent of its funding from Government health budgets, and children's hospices only 22 per cent, hospices urgently need emergency funding to help support the thousands of hospice nurses and other front-line clinical staff now, as they put their lives art risk caring for vulnerable patients."

Following the Chancellor's announcement, Mr Madders wrote on social media: "Pleased to hear that hospices will be getting some additional financial support following my letter last week, we will wait to see if it is sufficient but it’s good that the challenges facing this important sector have been recognised."

Tracey Bleakley, CEO from national charity Hospice UK, said: "Hospice UK is delighted that the Government is providing up to £200 million of funding per quarter to hospices to help support the NHS and respond to the Covid-19 emergency.

"Hospices are on the frontline of providing care and support to almost a quarter of a million vulnerable people every year at the end of their lives.

"This unprecedented funding recognises the vital role that hospices play in supporting the NHS in its fight against Covid-19, and means hospices across the country can keep providing beds, specialist clinical care and staffing to relieve pressure on the NHS at this critical moment.

"Hospices depend on the generosity of their local communities to care for people and families affected by terminal illness. This incredible government support is very welcome but it’s still important that people continue to support their local hospice.

"Hospice UK is working with the NHS to disburse this much-needed funding as soon as possible so we can continue to protect the most vulnerable people in our country during this national emergency."

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said: "It’s right we do everything we can to help the sector during this difficult time, which is why we have announced this unprecedented £750 million package of extra funding.

"This will ensure our key charities can continue to deliver the services that millions of people up and down the country rely on."

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock said: "Hospices have suffered a huge challenge to their funding due to the outbreak of coronavirus but at the same time continued to play a vital role in delivering compassionate, quality end-of-life care for many people.

"I am delighted that this cash boost will provide further financial stability and support them to increase capacity of NHS Services and provide stability as we manage our response to coronavirus.

"It’s vitally important we all continue to support our fantastic and hardworking hospices and their staff during this unprecedented time, and the whole country is grateful for the incredible work they do."

While the much-needed funding boost will be welcomed by hospices across the country, they – including the much-loved Hospice of the Good Shepherd – will still require lots of funding support over the coming months to ensure it can continue to provide end-of-life care to those who need it.

The Hospice of the Good Shepherd and The Standard are running #SaveYourHospice online funding pages dedicated to funding the hospice, which had seen public donations dry up as its five shops in Chester and Ellesmere Port had to close due to the coronavirus pandemic, while fundraisers have had to be cancelled.

People can donate to The Standard's online funding page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/standardsaveyourhospice . Alternatively, people can call the hospice directly to donate on 01244 851811.