TŶ Hafan Children’s Hospice on the Sully coastline has welcomed new government funding that will help it balance the books and continue to provide vital support to children in the most difficult of circumstances, however the chief exec has warned there is more to be done.
On April 12, health secretary Eluned Morgan announced Welsh hospices will receive £4m in government funding to continue their vital work.
The £4m will be shared by Wales’ 12 commissioned hospices, with more than £770,000 going to Ty Gobaith and Tŷ Hafan.
Jason Foster, interim chief executive of Tŷ Hafan said: “Wales has two children’s hospices, Tŷ Hafan and Tŷ Gobaith and I am speaking on behalf of both of them.
“My counterpart, Andy Goldsmith, chief executive of Tŷ Gobaith, and I are, of course, very grateful for this additional funding from the Welsh Government, £229,684 for Tŷ Gobaith and £544,285 for Tŷ Hafan.
“These sums will enable both Tŷ Gobaith and Tŷ Hafan to almost record a balanced budget for the 2023/24 financial year. Without this funding, both children’s hospices would have run at a deficit, drawing on limited funds held in reserve.”
Tŷ Hafan recently opened its doors while commemorating 25 years of being in Wales.
In recent months the hospice has had to face speculation a caravan park could be built on land directly next to it by Barry Pleasure Park owner Henry Danter.
Despite the latest government funding, Mr Foster emphasised there is still a lot more to do in the work of caring for the sickest children in society.
Mr Foster added: “This funding, while welcome, does not enable Tŷ Gobaith or Tŷ Hafan to meet anything like the demand for the care we provide.
“There are over 3,000 children in Wales who have a life-shortening condition yet between Tŷ Gobaith and Tŷ Hafan we are only currently able to support just over 400 of them.
“This means that, right now, the vast majority of children with life-shortening conditions in Wales are simply unable to access any support from either of Wales’s two children’s hospices.
“Children and families who receive our hospice care call it ‘a lifeline’. We believe that every child and family should be offered that lifeline.”
On the funding, Ms Morgan MS said: “Hospices and end-of-life care services are highly valued, and they play a really important role in supporting families at some of the most difficult times in their lives.
“They also support the NHS to provide essential care to around 20,000 who need palliative and end-of-life care every year.
“This funding will help to ensure they can continue to provide these vital services and keep on providing high-quality care across Wales.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here