Scottish Government Allocates £5 Million for Hospice Staff Pay

The Scottish Government has announced an investment of £5 million aimed at improving pay for frontline staff in independent hospices. This funding, detailed in the 2025-26 Budget, is intended to align hospice salaries with those of the National Health Service (NHS), recognizing the essential palliative and end-of-life care these facilities provide.

The initiative seeks to attract and retain skilled healthcare professionals as demand for palliative care services continues to rise amid increasing workforce pressures. Scottish Labour previously urged the government to allocate funds to support hospice workers, emphasizing the importance of fair compensation for their dedicated service.

Health Secretary Neil Gray expressed his support for the funding, stating, “Independent hospices provide vital care and support to people and families across Scotland at the most difficult times in their lives. I am pleased we are able to support these organizations in supporting pay parity for their clinical staff.” He highlighted the necessity of recognizing the compassionate care provided by hospice staff daily, ensuring their pay reflects the value of their work.

Despite the positive step, concerns have emerged regarding the sufficiency of the £5 million funding. Marie Curie Scotland, a prominent hospice provider with two facilities in the country, voiced skepticism about the impact of this one-time funding boost. Amy Dalrymple, associate director of policy and public affairs at Marie Curie, noted that while the funding is welcomed, it will not resolve the long-term financial challenges facing hospices.

“Investment in hospice staff is essential. There is only one chance to get end-of-life care right,” Dalrymple stated. She also highlighted the anticipated costs associated with the UK Government’s increased employer national insurance contributions, which are expected to cost Marie Curie Scotland close to £500,000 in the 2025-26 fiscal year alone.

Dalrymple advocated for a sustainable, long-term funding strategy from the Scottish Government that addresses the inequalities in end-of-life care. “We are calling on the Scottish Government to deliver a sustainable, long-term funding plan that includes ways to future-proof the workforce, so that wherever you live, whatever your illness, you’ll be able to rely on good care right to the end,” she added.

In November 2024, hospice leaders expressed alarm over a growing “insurmountable funding gap,” warning that they might have to turn people away due to insufficient resources. They emphasized the essential role hospices play within the broader health care system, despite not being part of the NHS, and the reliance on charitable funding to meet operating costs.

Chair of the Scottish Hospice Leadership Group, Jacki Smart, welcomed the funding as a necessary acknowledgment of the hospice sector’s needs, which delivers specialized palliative care throughout Scotland. “It is right for patients and staff that hospices can pay skilled professionals fairly and in line with NHS colleagues, and we need to keep pace on this,” she stated.

This announcement follows a recent initiative by the UK Government, which unveiled a £75 million funding package to be distributed among 170 facilities in England. This funding boost is considered the largest ever for the sector, aiming to improve care services across the region. Minister Stephen Kinnock praised the impact of hospices, stating, “Hospices play a vital role in our society by providing invaluable care and support when people need it most.”

As the landscape of palliative care evolves, the Scottish Government’s commitment to hospice funding represents a significant, albeit initial, step toward addressing the pressing needs of healthcare providers and the individuals they serve.