Short breaks for families caring for a child who may not reach adulthood mean more than just a holiday – they provide vital respite and help families to cope with the pressure of providing round-the-clock care for their children. These families rely on frequent short breaks with specialist care, provided by a range of organisations including children’s hospices, to enable them to spend time as a family – recharging batteries, making memories with the seriously ill child and spending quality time with brothers and sisters. However, too few local authorities fund these crucial services for children with complex conditions, meaning families struggle and will often need more expensive emergency support from health or social care.
This Children’s Hospice Week (11-17 May) we are calling on the new government to ensure that there is fair and sustainable funding for short breaks through a new, ringfenced fund, allocated to local authorities in England. Without this, families – many of whom are already at breaking point – risk losing out on the support they need.
Barbara Gelb Chief executive, Together for Short Lives
Peter Branson Chief executive, Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice
David Burland Chief executive, Shooting Star Chase
Graham Butland Chief executive, East Anglia Children’s Hospices
Ryan Campbell Chief executive, Demelza Hospice Care for Children
Andy Campbell Chief executive, Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People
Claire Cardy Chief executive, Ellenor
Georgina Cox Chief executive, Derian House Children’s Hospice
Clare Edwards Interim chief executive, Helen and Douglas House
Martin Edwards Chief executive, Julia’s House, the Dorset and Wiltshire Children’s Hospices
James Ellam Chief executive, St Oswald’s Hospice
Peter Ellis Chief executive, Richard House Children’s Hospice
Eddie Farwell Chief executive, Children’s Hospice South West
Andy Goldsmith Chief executive, Hope House Children’s Hospices
David Houston Chief executive, Trinity Hospice and Palliative Care Services
Mike Keel Chief executive, Keech Hospice Care
Graham Leggatt-Chidgey Chief executive, Butterwick Hospice Care
Hugh Lowson Chief executive, Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice
Mike McDonald Chief executive, The Donna Louise Children’s Hospice
Angela Monaghan Chief executive, Martin House Children’s Hospice
Joanne Page General manager, James Hopkins Trust
Mike Palfreman Chief executive, Haven House
David Pastor Chief executive, Claire House Children’s Hospice
Jenny Provin Chief executive, Rennie Grove Hospice Care
Claire Rintoul Chief executive, Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice
Chris Robinson Chief executive, Naomi House Children’s Hospice
Andy Smith Chief executive, Havens Hospices
Joan Stainsby Executive trustee, Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice
David Strudley Chief executive, Acorns Children’s Hospice
