Hospices and end of life care

That this House recognises the work of hospices and their dedicated staff and volunteers in caring for people and their families at the end of life; notes with concern that the current funding model for hospices is failing patients and is not fit for purpose and that the rise in employer National Insurance contributions has placed even more pressure on their budgets; is deeply concerned about the approaching funding cliff edge at the end of the financial year, which risks hospices being forced to cut services or close beds, leaving terminally ill people without the care and dignity they deserve, threatening patient safety and the long-term feasibility of hospices; and calls on the Government to implement emergency revenue funding, establish fair NHS contracts for hospices, and fully fund specialist palliative care provided by hospices so that no one at the end of their life is denied compassionate care.