Short debate: Hospice and Palliative Care in Wales

Mark Isherwood AM condemned the funding given to hospices and palliative care across Wales, during a short debate on 2 May 2012.

The conservative AM argued that as the population ages and people approach the end of life with ever more complex care needs, facilitating access to cost effective, high quality palliative and end of life care will become ever more important.

According to the Tory AM for North Wales the number of people who die each year in Wales is expected to rise and the number of new patients seeking palliative care has risen by 15%.

However Mr Isherwood stated that Welsh hospices provide palliative care and care in the home at a lower cost than the rest of the UK.

Mr Isherwood insisted hospices in Wales receive 24% of the Welsh government's health budget, which is less than rest of UK.

He said: "This level has fallen over the years."

Mr Isherwood added: "Overall hospices in Wales receive less government funding than those in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland."

Health minister Lesley Griffiths responded to the debate stating palliative care was crucial to patients in Wales.

The minister added that effective partnership across local health boards was key to the success of palliative care and that funding agreements were reviewed annually.