Hospices in Wales are set to be given an extra £2.2m from the Welsh Government.

Of this funding, £888,000 will be shared between children’s hospices Ty Hafan and Ty Gobaith, with the remaining £1.3m going to adult hospices.

The Welsh Government said the funding is on top of £13.8m already allocated to the sector over the course of the pandemic, with fundraising activities hit by restrictions.

The funding announcement comes as part of the first phase of the Welsh Government’s end-of-life care review, with the funding allocated from April onwards.

Making the announcement, Wales’ Health Minister Eluned Morgan said: “This has never been more needed than over the last two years when, throughout the pandemic, hospices have been there to support patients, families and carers through the most difficult of times in the most difficult of circumstances.”

Ty Hafan’s Chief Executive, Maria Timon Samra, said the charity had been campaigning alongside Ty Gobaith for a “sustainable funding solution for Wales’ children’s hospices” and welcomed the Welsh Government funding – describing it as an “important first step”.

Ms Timon Samra added: “We look forward to continuing to work with [Welsh Government ministers] to create a Wales that is more compassionate and supports children with life-limiting conditions and their families, for whom our hospices are often the only place they can receive crisis and respite care and support.”

South Wales East Senedd Member Peredur Owen Griffiths welcomed the news, having campaigned for more state funding for children’s hospices.

The extra funding will see both Ty Hafan and Ty Gobaith receive 21% of their funding from state sources – an increase from less than 10%.

Mr Griffiths, who represents Plaid Cymru, said: “The lack of state funding put children’s hospices in Wales at a distinct disadvantage; especially when compared to their counterparts in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

“Hospices are still more generously funded elsewhere but this is a good starting point to allow our hospices to provide the services and support they want to deliver for our sickest children and their families.

“This has been a long-time coming but this day has been worth the wait for it has delivered for our most vulnerable children. I’m so relieved and happy at the news.”