Latest news with #childrenshospices
The Independent
16-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Queen praises ‘wonderful' children's hospices on anniversary visit
The Queen has spoken of how uplifting children's hospices can be after playing air hockey with a teenager during a visit to a charity in the South West. Camilla listened to performances and spoke with care users, families and staff during a visit to Little Bridge House in Fremington, Devon, on Wednesday. The unit – part of Children's Hospice South West – is celebrating its 30th anniversary of providing care for babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and also helps support their families. During her second visit to Little Bridge, the Queen spoke of the importance of children's hospices, saying more are needed around the country. Her speech followed a game of air hockey with Daisy Clark, 15, a bereaved sibling. The Queen immediately won a point from her opponent and played a second short rally, which ended in a draw. Addressing staff, she said: 'These children's hospices are such wonderful places. 'I don't think we realise quite how lucky we are to have them. I think it would be wonderful if we could have a few more. 'Everyone who works in them and makes them such happy places deserve a huge, huge thank you.' She said on her first visit to a children's hospice she thought they would be sad places, 'but they are completely uplifting'. Camilla also praised the work of the charity's co-founder Eddie Farwell, who died earlier this year, and the Queen unveiled a commemorative photograph of him and his family. Mr Farwell opened Little Bridge House with his wife Jill in 1995 after they experienced the urgent need for hospice care for children in the South West. Their two eldest children, Tom and Katie, had life-limiting conditions, and the family had to travel more than four hours to Oxford for support. They went on to set up two other children's hospices in Cornwall and Bristol. During her visit, the Queen heard a performance by Vanessa Klos, 18, a bereaved sibling who wrote a song in memory of her brother Jordan. Speaking to the press, Ms Klos said: 'It's a song I have written called You Are the Reason. 'I wrote it for my little brother, who sadly passed away in December 2023. 'It's a song that allows me to express my emotions, and it's helped me grieve with his passing. 'It was an absolute pleasure (to sing for the Queen), I'm just so happy that I even got invited to do such a thing. 'I was holding tears back thinking about my little brother.' She added that the Queen told her the song was beautiful, and Jordan would be proud of her. Lizzy Farwell, daughter of Eddie and Jill, who remains an ambassador for the charity, described the visit as 'really moving'. She said: 'It's incredibly special to have the Queen here. 'To come here and celebrate 30 years of the Children's Hospice South West was really an honour. 'When my dad passed away, she wrote to me to send her condolences. It was very special for her to take that time.' She added that the photograph unveiled by the Queen was special to her as it was one of the few pictures of her, her parents and her two siblings. Phil Morris, chief executive of the charity, added that the visit 'meant the world' to the families who use the service and the staff. 'She gave us such encouragement to carry on, she said there should be more children's hospices in the UK and around the world, which really shows her compassion,' he said.
The Independent
26-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Ministers urged to act to protect hospice care for children
Seriously ill children may be denied end-of-life care without further funding for hospices, a charity has warned. Together for Short Lives said hospices are being forced to rely on donations and funds raised from charity shops to prop up services as it called on ministers to increase ring-fenced NHS funding for children's hospices. A new poll of 30 hospices in England found almost nine in 10 (89%) expect their costs to exceed their income this financial year. The charity warned seriously ill children may die without accessing end-of-life care, symptom management and emotional and psychological support as a result. A report from the charity, seen by the PA news agency, states inflation, workforce shortages, and rising demand for care are stretching services to 'breaking point'. The report estimates costs for hospices have risen by 34% since 2021. However, statutory funding for children's hospices is still 'falling short' of what is needed, it adds. 'With reserves set to dwindle and deficits projected to grow, the future of children's hospice care is becoming increasingly unsustainable,' the authors wrote. The report also reveals disparities in funding across England, with neighbouring health authorities spending vastly different amounts on care. Together for Short Lives is urging ministers to increase ring-fenced NHS funding for children's hospices in England from £26 million in 2025/26 to £30 million by 2029/30. It said hospices have said that without this funding they would have to cut back on respite care and short breaks, emotional and psychological support, as well as end-of-life care. Nick Carroll, chief executive of Together for Short Lives, said: 'As ministers try to shift greater levels of healthcare from hospitals into communities, our amazing children's hospices are doing more than ever before to provide crucial support to seriously ill children and their families. 'But as their costs soar, they are having to rely even more on the generosity of the public amid patchy and unsustainable funding from the NHS. 'To expect the complex and often specialist healthcare these families need to be funded by charity shops and donations is wrong – we wouldn't accept this for other parts of our health and care system, so to add more uncertainty to families' lives when many simply don't know how long they have left with their children is unacceptable.' As well as providing end-of-life care, hospices also offer services including emergency support, symptom management and short breaks for respite. One parent described how she 'couldn't live without' the support of her local hospice. Laura McArthur, from Bristol, relies on the Jessie May hospice in the city for support in caring for her seven-year-old son Archie, who has cerebral palsy. But the future of the hospice remains 'unclear' after its charitable expenditure has risen sharply, and uncertainty around funding has forced it to draw on its reserve and rely on voluntary income, Together for Short Lives said. Ms McArthur said: 'Jessie May has known Archie since he was six months old. 'They have been there through it all. 'His needs are so complex, requiring around-the-clock care – at times it can be very difficult. 'Jessie May come and look after Archie so I can have a short break. 'As the years go on, caring for a disabled child is both physically and mentally exhausting. The truth is that I couldn't live without their support.' Mr Carroll added: 'As it finalises its NHS 10-year plan, the UK Government must put in place a long-term, sustainable funding model for children's palliative care in England. 'Immediately, ministers should act to protect and maintain the NHS children's hospice grant and put it on a path to £30 million by 2030. 'Only by doing so can the Government make sure lifeline services are not cut for seriously ill children, which could deny many the choice of accessing end of life care from a children's hospice.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'The Government recognises the incredible work that children and young people's hospices do across the country. 'We are investing £100 million to improve hospices facilities, and a further £26 million specifically for children's hospices this year, the biggest investment in hospices in a generation. 'We are also working to make sure the palliative and end of life care sector is sustainable in the long-term and are determined to shift more healthcare out of hospitals and into the community through our Plan for Change.'
BBC News
21-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Kate issues support message for children's hospices
Catherine, Princess of Wales has written a message of thanks to children's hospices for the work they do in "lifting spirits" at difficult princess, who is patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices (Each), made her comments during Children's Hospice Week which runs until Sunday. In her personal message, she speaks of the difference hospice care and support makes to families in difficult wrote: "Being able to access the support of one of the UK's 54 children's hospices means they don't have to face that future alone." Catherine added: "Lifting spirits through laughter, fun and play, as well as listening, holding, caring and sharing, they support children and families through life, death and beyond."Each has hospices in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and chief executive, Kevin Clements, said: "We're so incredibly grateful for the princess' invaluable contribution as our dedicated royal patron."Her ongoing support and vast profile have projected our charity on to the global stage and this latest message is a perfect way to mark Children's Hospice Week."Children's Hospice Week, led by Together for Short Lives, is a week-long focus on fundraising and the work of children's provide a range of essential services including physiotherapy, music therapy, 24-hour telephone support and short-break care. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Kate Middleton Shares New Message After Dropping Out of Royal Ascot Appearance
Kate Middleton has written a poignant message to children's hospices, saying it was an "immense privilege" to see their work The Princess of Wales, 43, praised them for lifting the spirits of children and families "through life, death and beyond" Her June 20 message, as Children's Hospice Week draws to an end, came six months after she took on the role of patron to a hospice in South WalesKate Middleton is showing her support for kids' hospices in a poignant week. In a new message issued on Friday, June 20, the Princess of Wales praised how hospices 'lift the spirits' and support seriously ill children and their families through 'life, death and beyond.' She said it was an 'immense privilege' seeing the work up close of two hospices, with East Anglia's Children's Hospices and Tŷ Hafan Children's Hospice, during her visits as their patron. It came in a week when Princess Kate, 43, dropped out of an expected visit to the Royal Ascot race meeting on Wednesday. Kate is still managing her return to public-facing duties amid her recovery from cancer treatment. In her message on June 20, Kate wrote, 'No parent expects to hear that their child has a serious health condition that could shorten their life. Sadly, this is the reality faced by thousands of families across the country, leaving them heartbroken, fearful of the future and often desperately isolated." 'Being able to access the support of one of the U.K.'s 54 children's hospices means they don't have to face that future alone," she added. 'As Patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices and Tŷ Hafan Children's Hospice in South Wales, I have the immense privilege of seeing for myself the extraordinary work of our children's hospices," she said. "Lifting spirits through laughter, fun and play, as well as listening, holding, caring and sharing, they support children and families through life, death and beyond." "This Children's Hospice Week, I hope you will join me in celebrating the life-changing work they do and thanking them for the vital care they provide to children and families experiencing the most challenging times," Kate concluded. Support for children's hospices has been an ever-present part of Princess Kate's public work since she started in public life soon after marrying Prince William in 2011. She has also visited hospices around the world during her overseas tours. During Children's Hospice Week, which ends on June 22, the charity Together for Short Lives brings together the vital services to celebrate the incredible work they do for seriously ill children and their families. Kate made her first visit to Tŷ Hafan in January, spending more time than she was scheduled, crouching down, talking to youngsters and their families and joining in with the games. Tŷ Hafan — which means "Haven House" in Welsh — is located in Sully, South Wales, and was built with the support of Prince William's late mother, Princess Diana. Tracy Jones, the director of family well-being services who showed Kate around, said on the day of the visit in January, 'She immediately gravitated to the children and families — she spent quality time talking to every child and their parents.' 'It's been the most inspiring visit,' Jones added. 'She crouched down and was straightaway on the level of the children. If they were in a wheelchair, she crouched at that level. If they were on the floor, she would be at the level,' she continues. 'We were seriously impressed with how she could stay in a crouch, as it's not that comfortable!" "She instinctively seemed to know where to touch a child that was going to provide the connection, but not cause any distress or startle a child. She was looking at the children, even if she was talking to the parent. It's what we do, as we're used to working with children who are nonverbal," she added. Nick Carroll, CEO of Together for Short Lives, praised Kate's "ongoing support for Children's Hospice Week over many years [that] has helped to raise much-needed awareness of the life-changing work children's hospices do, every day of the year." "Their extraordinary lifeline care for children with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses enables families to make the most of their lives together, whether that's for years, months or only hours," he said. 'Together with all the children's hospices, we thank the Princess of Wales for her invaluable contribution.' Irfon Rees, Chief Executive of Tŷ Hafan Children's Hospice, said in a statement on June 20, 'Her Royal Highness is clearly profoundly committed to the needs of children and young people, and in January, during her first visit to our hospice as our patron, her kindness and empathy were evident." 'Having HRH's support during Children's Hospice Week means that not only can we take time to celebrate the difference that children's hospices, including Tŷ Hafan, have made to the lives of so many families, but that we can also remind people of the importance of supporting their local children's hospice so that no family has to live their child's short life alone.' Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Kevin Clements, Chief Executive of EACH, based in the area close to the Wales family's country home, Anmer Hall, in Norfolk, added, 'We're so incredibly grateful for The Princess' invaluable contribution as our dedicated Royal Patron. Her ongoing support and vast profile have projected our charity onto the global stage, and this latest message is a perfect way to mark Children's Hospice Week." 'It's a great opportunity to shine a light on the work of children's hospices generally, as well as giving us an opportunity to raise awareness and remind everyone of the need for public support, given we rely on donations for the majority of our income.' Read the original article on People
News.com.au
20-06-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
Kate breaks silence after abruptly cancelling Ascot appearance
IN LONDON The Princess of Wales has released a heartfelt statement just days after pulling out of Royal Ascot at the last minute. Kate, 43, released a personal note on Friday, UK, speaking about the life-changing work of children's hospices. Royal-watchers were left disappointed earlier this week after it emerged that she'd had to cancel her scheduled appearance in the royal carriage procession alongside the King, Queen and Prince William at the iconic raceground, after also missing it last year due to her cancer treatment. In her statement on Friday, which was shared in honour of the UK's Children's Hospice Week, the princess expressed her gratitude for the vital care provided by those working with sick children. 'No parent expects to hear that their child has a serious health condition that could shorten their life,' Kate wrote. 'Sadly, this is the reality faced by thousands of families across the country, leaving them heartbroken, fearful of the future and often desperately isolated. 'Being able to access the support of one of the UK's 54 children's hospices means they don't have to face that future alone.' The princess has been Royal Patron of East Anglia Children's Hospices for more than a decade, and this year also became the Royal Patron of TÅ· Hafan Children's Hospice in South Wales. 'As Patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices and TÅ· Hafan Children's Hospice in South Wales, I have the immense privilege of seeing for myself the extraordinary work of our children's hospices,' she said. 'Lifting spirits through laughter, fun and play, as well as listening, holding, caring and sharing, they support children and families through life, death and beyond. 'This Children's Hospice Week, I hope you will join me in celebrating the life-changing work they do and thanking them for the vital care they provide to children and families experiencing the most challenging times.' Despite being on a positive trajectory since announcing her gradual return to public duties following the completion of her chemotherapy, there were concerns on Wednesday when Kate pulled out of the racing event at the last minute. She had already been listed to travel in the second carriage of the royal procession, alongside her husband. However, a short time later it was confirmed by Kensington Palace that Kate would not be attending, with local media reporting she was 'disappointed' but was having to 'find the right balance as she fully returns to public facing engagements'. It came after a busy week for the Princess of Wales, who attended a series of events including Trooping the Colour, in the days leading up to Ascot. Back in January, she revealed she was in remission from cancer, which she had first publicly disclosed last March. Last September, she released an emotional video message, featuring personal footage of herself with William and their three children, opening up about the challenges they'd all been privately battling – but also proudly announced she had completed her treatment.
