Three Surrey hospices to receive £2 million in UK government funding to enhance end-of-life care, upgrade facilities, and expand patient support services.
Major Funding Boost for Surrey’s Hospice Sector
Three adult hospices in Surrey — and one children’s hospice just outside the county — are set to share £2 million in funding from the UK government, marking a significant investment in end-of-life care services. The funding forms part of a national £75 million package announced on July 20, aimed at upgrading over 170 hospices across the UK.
Facilities Across Surrey to Benefit
The Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice in Farnham, Princess Alice Hospice in Esher, and Woking & Sam Beare Hospice in Woking will receive capital to improve infrastructure and expand services. Shooting Star Children’s Hospice in Hampton will also benefit from the investment.
Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, currently under construction and set to open in 2026, has been allocated £827,194. Once completed, the new facility will house an 18-bed unit, therapy and treatment rooms, a café, and spaces for rehabilitation and counselling. It will serve over 500,000 people across Surrey and Hampshire.
Enhancing Capacity at Established Centres
Princess Alice Hospice in Esher, rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission in 2022, is set to receive £792,957. The facility features a 24-bed inpatient unit with private en-suite rooms, and offers extensive community outreach services, including hospice-at-home and outpatient care.
Meanwhile, Woking & Sam Beare Hospice, which merged onto one site in 2017, will receive £481,630. The hospice provides 20 private rooms, a family area, and a multi-faith suite. It supports around 800 patients in North West Surrey with the help of more than 800 volunteers.
Children’s Hospice to Expand Family Support
Shooting Star Children’s Hospice in Hampton will receive £509,193. The facility offers a wide range of services for families of children with life-limiting conditions, including counselling, sibling support, music therapy, and hydrotherapy. It supports over 700 families across Surrey and 14 London boroughs.
Government Calls it ‘Largest Cash Injection’
According to the Department of Health and Social Care, this marks the largest one-time investment in the hospice sector. Minister for Care Stephen Kinnock emphasized that hospices are a “vital” part of healthcare, and the funding will enable essential facility upgrades, reduce operational pressures, and improve the patient experience.
Sector Leaders Urge Long-Term Support
Toby Porter, CEO of Hospice UK, welcomed the funding but stressed the need for sustained investment. “This money has made a huge difference,” he said, “but we must work toward long-term reform to ensure hospice care is available for all who need it.”
As these funds begin to roll out, local hospices are expected to initiate upgrades that will significantly improve comfort, dignity, and accessibility for patients and families alike.
