To ask the Minister of Health for an update on whether the NI Children's Hospice will be allocated some of the £13.1 million recurrent funding for children's respite services, in order to offer the service within the hospice.

BELFAST HSC TRUST (BHSCT):

The Belfast HSC Trust have not prioritised short breaks via NI Children’s Hospice in their funding proposals as the Trust provides short breaks for children with medically complex health needs via Forest Lodge Children’s Nursing Home. The Trust prioritised funding for provision of other short breaks, residential and family support services.

NORTHERN HSC TRUST (NHSCT):

The NI Children’s Hospice have a regional contract, which is managed by SPPG and the Northern HSC Trust uses the facilities with this funding.

THE SOUTH EASTERN HSC TRUST (SEHSCT):

The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust subsequently identified both in year and recurrent spend priorities consistent with the Ministerial priorities, which were submitted to the SPPG through the Regional Business case. The Regional Hospice was not identified for recurrent spend as the service was centrally procured by the Department.

THE SOUTHERN HSC TRUST (SHSCT):

The Hospice does not receive any additional funding from the above allocation which is fully committed to other initiatives within the SHSCT.

THE WESTERN HSC TRUST (WHSCT):

There is an access criterion in place for NI Children’s Hospice Services, which the Trust understands is for ‘Children who are deemed by a medical professional to be either end or life or with a life limited illness.’ Referrals must be made by the Children’s Community Nursing Team.

During 25/26, the WHSCT Children’s Disability Team procured 93 overnights at a cost of £1,250 per night. Total expenditure during 25/26 was £116,250. This was funded non-recurrently from underspend from the WHSCT’s Children With Disabilities Funding. These beds are in addition to services provided via the NI Children’s Hospice regional contract.

For the 2026/27 financial year, the Western Trust has allocated a budget of £60,000. The Western Trust has been advised that the cost of an overnight has increased to £1,300 which will allow the Trust to procure 46 nights.