Petition · Department of Health and Social Care
Fully fund Specialist Palliative Care provided by hospices
Open for signatures
7,755 signatures
What the petition asks
Hospices provide vital care yet are dependent on fundraising. Palliative care costs are lower in a hospice than hospital. UK hospices are in financial crisis, having to drastically reduce specialist services for patients and their families or face closure. Hospices urgently need appropriate funding.
On average just 1/3 of funding for hospices comes from government, forcing over-reliance on charitable giving which is no longer sufficient. Over 50% of hospices were in financial deficit last year and nearly 60% of hospices have made or are considering cuts to vital services. Palliative care needs are projected to increase 25% by 2048. Loss of hospices further increases pressure on hospitals and NHS services, is more costly to the NHS, and results in non-specialist care for palliative patients.
Timeline
| 1 May 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
7,755
Status
Open for signatures
Department
Department of Health and Social Care
Opened
1 May 2026
Follow this petition
Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.
Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.