The Scottish government has announced a £5 million funding uplift in 2025-26 to support independent hospices with pay parity for clinical staff with their NHS counterparts.

Hospices got their funding allocations set out in the 2025-26 Budget, and the boost in investment will ensure that frontline independent staff providing essential care as paid in line with NHS pay scales.

This investment will allow hospices to recruit and retain skilled healthcare professionals when pressures and demand for palliative care is high.

Health secretary Neil Gray said: “Independent hospices provide vital care and support to people and families across Scotland at the most difficult times in their lives. I am pleased we are able to suppor these organisations in supporting pay parity for their clinical staff.

“This funding recognises the skilled, compassionate care that hospice staff deliver every day, and helps ensure their pay reflects the immense value of their work.”

Chair of the Scottish Hospice Leadership Group, Jacki Smart, said: “This is a welcome first step in recognising the needs of the hospice sector, which plays a key role in delivering specialist palliative care for Scotland. It is right for patients and staff that hospices can pay skilled professionals fairly and in line with NHS colleagues, and we need to keep pace on this.”