Labour vows pay parity for hospice staff

Labour has pledged to increase funding for Scotland’s hospice sector to bring about “fair pay” for staff caring for dying patients in their final days.

Deputy leader and health spokeswoman Dame Jackie Baillie confirmed a future Labour government at Holyrood would provide additional funding for the sector, allowing staff to be paid the same rates as those working in the NHS.

The commitment was welcomed by sector body Hospice UK, which warned without this “fair funding” hospices face being “forced to make difficult decisions about the future of services”.

Dame Jackie made the pledge on a visit to the Robin House children’s hospice in Balloch, West Dunbartonshire, which is run by the charity Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (Chas).

While she stressed the “vital role” such facilities play in helping families at “some of the most difficult times”, the Labour MSP accused the Scottish Government of doing “too little, too late” to help the sector.

Dame Jackie said: “Doctors and nurses in hospices play a vital role in our healthcare system, caring for our loved ones and supporting families through some of the most difficult times of their lives – but these incredible staff are not getting a fair deal.

“The sector has been sounding the alarm about mounting financial pressures for years, but the SNP’s response has been too little, too late.

“Hospices shouldn’t be forced to make an impossible choice between matching NHS pay and protecting services.

“A Scottish Labour government will value hospice workers and support this important sector by funding fair pay for hospice staff.”

Toby Porter, chief executive of Hospice UK – which represents more than 200 hospices across the UK – said: “It is so important to recognise and value the vital work of hospice staff and the contribution hospices make to both the people of Scotland and the health and care system across the nation.

“Delivering pay parity for hospice staff with their NHS colleagues is a key step in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the hospice sector, which has faced spiralling costs in recent years.

“Without fair funding, hospices are forced to make difficult decisions about the future of services.

“This pledge comes at a crucial time, with a growing need for palliative care and increasing pressure on hospitals and the wider health system.

“By investing in hospices and their staff, we can help ensure that people receive expert, compassionate care at the most vulnerable time in their lives, often outside of hospital, closer to home, and in the way they would choose.”

Jacki Smart, chairwoman of the Scottish Hospice Leadership Group and chief executive of Accord Hospice, also welcomed the “visible and tangible commitment to support Scotland’s hospices” – adding that frontline hospice staff will be “delighted”.

Ms Smart said: “Hospices employ the most dedicated and talented people, and they deserve to be paid fairly.

“Given hospices face extreme pressures from rising pay for doctors, nurses and all the vital support staff, this is hugely welcome and adds pressure to the need for urgent action.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We recognise the pressures hospices are facing, and we greatly value the essential palliative care services delivered by hard-working staff.

“That is why we have already committed this year to supporting hospices to provide pay parity with NHS levels.

“It remains the responsibility of Integration Joint Boards (IJBs) to commission palliative care services, including independent hospices, to meet the needs of their local communities.

“As such, we expect Scottish hospices and IJBs to continue to engage on any matters that may impact on the delivery of local palliative care services.”