North Wales Senedd members Gareth Davies and Janet Finch-Saunders visited Tŷ Gobaith children’s hospice just outside Conwy for a tour of their state-of-the-art facilities, and to learn about their plans for the soon-to-open extension. Tŷ Gobaith provide professional care and support to children with life-threatening conditions and families in North Wales, with a range of services including palliative care, social work, sibling support, and bereavement counselling.
Mr Davies and Mrs Finch-Saunders had a tour of the hospice which boasts a room for young adults, a multi-sensory room, and the Snowflake suit for recently bereaved families. The construction work is still ongoing but will provide greater family space. The funding arrangement was also brought to their attention in which Welsh Government funding provides just under 12% of hospice care costs across both Tŷ Gobaith and Hope House, with just 8% of hospice costs at Tŷ Gobaith being covered by Welsh Government.
Following the visit, Member of the Senedd for Vale of Clwyd, Gareth Davies MS, said:
“It was a pleasure to visit Tŷ Gobaith children’s hospice on the sublime hills overlooking the River Conwy, and I was stunned at the exceptional facilities and the care and dedication shown by staff.
“I viewed plans for the extension which is currently under construction and will provide greater space for families, which will be a welcomed addition, and I spoke to staff about the difficulties with funding.
“Welsh Government provides a measly 8% of hospice care costs for Tŷ Gobaith which is significantly less than what is offered in England.
“Relying almost entirely on private donation isn’t sustainable and Welsh Government need to increase the funding offered to the hospice if they are to continue their exceptional work.”