Hospice Care Six Months After the 100M Funding Boost

Back in February, the UK government announced a £100 million capital investment into hospices across England, the largest in a generation. The headlines focused on patient room refurbishments, gardens, and accessibility upgrades. But buried in those same announcements was something that’s just now coming into sharper focus, a major push to modernise IT infrastructure in hospices. 

As we enter the summer, and this funding begins to flow into hospice systems across the country, lets recap on a few things.  

What Was Funded? 

In total, the funding included: 

• £25 million made immediately available in February 2025 

• £75 million more rolling out from April 2025 

While much of this is allocated to physical upgrades, like modernising patient bedrooms and outdoor spaces, a significant portion is earmarked for digital and tech improvements. 

That includes: 

• Electronic patient record (EPR) systems 

• Secure data-sharing capabilities between hospices, GPs, and hospitals 

• Remote care tools, including tablets and telehealth infrastructure 

• Finance automation, staff scheduling and HR platforms 

• Cybersecurity upgrades 

Why IT Infrastructure in Hospices Has Lagged Behind 

Historically, many hospices, especially those that rely heavily on charitable income, have struggled to keep up with digital investment. Outdated hardware, patchy broadband, and limited compatibility with NHS systems have made it harder for hospice teams to provide integrated, tech-enabled care. 

In 2024, Hospice UK reports show that only 42% of hospices have a formal IT strategy, and 74% struggle with insufficient leadership to support tech adoption, while many wrestle with outdated systems and digital exclusion.  

Why Talk About It Now? 

While the money was announced months ago, IT teams, hospice managers, and suppliers are only now finalising plans and implementing upgrades. 

Over the next six months, hospices across England will: 

• Transition to cloud-based patient record systems 

• Roll out Finance automation and HR platforms, supported by staff training 

• Launch pilots for remote family consultations 

• Implement data-sharing between hospices, GPs, and hospitals 

• Secure their systems in response to rising cyber threats 

In fact, several major hospice groups, including Sue Ryder, St Luke’s, and Zoe’s Place, have already announced digital upgrade projects kicking off this summer.  

Why This Matters 

Modern IT systems in hospice care aren’t just about saving time. 

• A connected EPR ensures that a patient’s end-of-life preferences are respected wherever they are, at home, in hospital, or in the hospice. 

• Telehealth tools allow family members to be involved, even from afar. 

• Automation & scheduling makes sure overworked staff can focus more on care and less on admins & logistics. 

In an era where technology sometimes feels cold and clinical, this investment is a reminder that tech can be compassionate too, if designed with people in mind. 

In the Long-Term  

The hospice sector is under enormous financial pressure, and this capital funding, while welcome, doesn’t solve long-term revenue needs. But it does open a window. 

A chance to rethink how technology can support not just efficiency, but front-line care. 

If you’re part of a hospice team working on IT upgrades, we’d love to hear your story. What’s changing? What’s challenging? And tell you how Compleat Software can help your Hospice.