Two leading children's charities are confident that a pending Government review will lead to improved paediatric palliative care provision. The Association of Children's Hospices (ACH) chief executive Barbara Gelb said: 'I believe we've got strong support within the DH [Department of Health]. I've been told by senior officials they are very committed to picking up the recommendations and ensure they are driven forward'. And the Association for Children's Palliative Care (Act) chief executive Lizzie Chambers said the review had put the sector 'back on the map again'.
Last year, the government announced £27m for children's hospices over three years, which experts said was welcome but insufficient. ACH and Act are calling for the Government to devise a national strategy for their sector, with a further £24m over three years. The report is due out in June 2007.
