Insight into hospice’s incredible work
OGMORE MS, Huw Irranca-Davies, visited Tŷ Hafan children’s hospice last week to see the incredible work they are doing to support children with life-limiting conditions – and their families.
Tŷ Hafan and Tŷ Gobaith, Wales’ two domestic children’s hospices, provide respite and palliative care for more than 450 children with life-limited conditions across Wales. The two hospices currently receive less than 10% of their annual funding from the Welsh Government but need greater funding to enable them to continue to provide these essential services.
A sustainable funding solution, in the form of proposed ‘Lifeline Fund for Wales’, will ensure that both hospices can reach more children and their families and tackle increasingly complex conditions.
Approximately 3,600 children in Wales live with life-limiting conditions and 800 of these children have ongoing palliative care needs. Respite not only offers a getaway for children but an opportunity for parents and family to recharge their batteries.
Following the visit and supporting A Lifeline Fund for Wales, Mr Irranca-Davies said: “My thanks to the residents, staff and volunteers of Tŷ Hafan for a wonderful visit and to hear about the amazing work they do.
“It’s so incredibly important that we deliver on funding for Tŷ Hafan and Tŷ Gobaith to ensure children receive care when they most need it. It’s difficult enough for families, friends, and the children themselves to deal with such heartbreaking news of a life-limiting condition, but not being able to access the much-needed care and support afterwards only makes it harder.
“A new Lifeline Fund is essential to support these children and their families in a time of need and will also help reduce any burden or financial stress on the NHS.
“Futureproofing care for our children is a mark of compassion and will enable us to continue delivering on our promise of a fairer Wales.”