Date published: 16 October 2025 by Sophie Wichman

Speaking today, Rainbow Trust’s Chief Executive, Zillah Bingley, said:

"We welcome the news that children’s hospices will receive £80 million over three years. This funding boost for our colleagues in the hospice sector is warmly welcome and will make a real difference in that part of the palliative care landscape for terminally ill children and their families – but it is not a panacea. It does nothing for the many services and providers within the wider palliative care sector, such as Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity, who currently receives no central Government funding or wider recognition.

"There continues to be an alarming lack of understanding that palliative care is not purely clinical and ‘building based’ and that organisations providing social palliative care in the community alongside hospices and the NHS are vital.  

"Rainbow Trust provides vital social palliative care for families with a terminally ill child and that eases the pressure on the NHS. As pioneers in the sector, we provide critical wraparound support for families facing serious childhood illness.

"It is right that families should receive high-quality, personalised care in the most appropriate setting but it is not just hospices who have a role to play; Rainbow Trust urges the government to consider all charities delivering critical, non-medical, end of life support to families alongside the NHS.

"Why have we been ignored again? We urge government to recognise the unique position and role of charity providers and take action to protect the invaluable care we provide.

"We need a system-wide solution, not just a partial fix."