Fact Check: "Only one-third of palliative care is funded by the state in England."
What We Know
The claim that "only one-third of palliative care is funded by the state in England" has some basis in current funding structures. According to a report by the House of Lords Library, hospices in the UK receive approximately one-third of their funding from the government, with the remainder being raised through charitable donations and other means (source-6). This aligns with findings from the National Audit Office, which indicates that the funding situation for hospices is complex and often relies heavily on non-statutory sources (source-4).
Additionally, a review of funding options for end-of-life care highlighted that the current system is characterized by significant disparities, often referred to as a "postcode lottery," where the availability and quality of services vary greatly depending on geographical location and specific patient needs (source-2).
Analysis
The assertion that only one-third of palliative care is state-funded can be considered partially true. While it is accurate that approximately one-third of hospice funding comes from the government, this figure does not encompass all forms of palliative care, which may include services provided outside of hospice settings. The funding landscape is complex, and the reliance on charitable contributions suggests that many services are not fully covered by state funding.
Moreover, the National Audit Office has pointed out that the funding for palliative care services has evolved in an ad hoc manner, leading to inconsistencies in service provision (source-4). This lack of a cohesive funding strategy further complicates the understanding of how much palliative care is effectively funded by the state.
The House of Lords report also indicates that while one-third is a common figure cited for hospice funding, the actual percentage may vary based on specific services and regions (source-6). This variability suggests that while the claim holds some truth, it may not reflect the full picture of palliative care funding across England.
Conclusion
Verdict: Partially True
The claim that "only one-third of palliative care is funded by the state in England" is partially true. While it accurately reflects the funding situation for hospices, it does not account for the broader spectrum of palliative care services, which may receive varying levels of state support. The complexity of the funding landscape and the reliance on charitable contributions mean that the claim, while grounded in fact, oversimplifies the reality of palliative care funding in England.
Sources
- UK strategies for palliative care - PMC
- England examines funding options for end-of-life care - PMC
- Traditional Office Furniture - The Main Company
- Investigation into the financial sustainability of England's adult hospices - NAO
- Luxury Home Office Furniture - Coleccion Alexandra
- Hospices: State funding - House of Lords Library
- Supplementary written evidence submitted by Sue Ryder
- ICBs failing to fairly allocate funding to hospices across England - BMJ
