Scottish Government pledges £5m to hospices to match NHS staff pay

Hospice workers in Scotland are to receive pay equal to their NHS counterparts following a £5 million funding commitment from the Scottish Government.

The investment, set out in the 2025-26 Budget, will ensure that frontline staff providing essential palliative and end-of-life care in independent hospices are fairly paid in line with NHS pay scales.

The funding aims to help hospices recruit and retain skilled healthcare professionals during a time of rising workforce pressures and increasing demand for palliative care services.

The move comes after Scottish Labour called for the cash to be released by ministers.

Health secretary Neil Gray said: “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 organisations in supporting pay parity for their clinical staff.

“This funding recognises the skilled, compassionate care that hospice staff deliver every day, and helps ensure their pay reflects the immense value of their work.”

But a leading hospice provider has expressed concerns that a £5m funding boost “will not touch the sides”.

Marie Cure Scotland, which has two hospices in the country, has questioned how much of an impact the cash would have, citing the UK Government’s increase to employer national insurance contributions – which have been steadfastly opposed by ministers in Scotland.

“As Scotland’s largest palliative and end of life care provider caring for people at our two Scottish hospices and in people’s homes, Marie Curie Scotland welcomes the Scottish Government’s announcement about how the £5m for Scotland’s hospice sector, announced in the budget in December, will be provided,” said Marie Curie’s associate director of policy and public affairs Amy Dalrymple.

“But one-off funding like this will not address the long-term funding challenges or tackle the inequalities that exist in end of life care.

“Alongside increased support for community services, we’re 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: “Investment in hospice staff is essential. There is only one chance to get end of life care right.

“However, we are concerned that this £5m will not touch the sides given the recent changes to employer National Insurance contributions which are expected to cost Marie Curie Scotland close to half a million pounds in 2025-26 alone.

“Death is one of two certainties in life.

“The Scottish Government must prioritise palliative care to ease the strain on the already overburdened and underfunded NHS and create a system that works for everyone now and in the future.”

In November 2024, hospice bosses warned they face an “insurmountable funding gap” and said concerns are mounting that they may have to turn people away.

They said hospices are a “key part” of the health and care system, but they are not part of the NHS, with charities instead having to fund their running costs.

Chair of the Scottish Hospice Leadership Group, Jacki Smart, said: “This is a welcome first step in recognising the needs of the hospice sector, which plays a key role in delivering specialist palliative care for 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.”

The announcement comes after UK ministers announced £75m would be shared among 170 facilities in England – believed to be the biggest boost ever for the sector.

The UK Government announced its funding increase in the Sunday Mirror, with minister Stephen Kinnock praising the impact of the facilities.

“Hospices play a vital role in our society by providing invaluable care and support when people need it most.

“At this most difficult time, people deserve to receive the best care in the best possible environment with dignity.”