Health · Healthcare & Policy · 4 hrs ago
NHS charities are filling gaps, but some services face funding pressure
More than 220 charities linked to NHS hospitals and community services raise £620m a year in the UK, about 0.3% of the health budget.
They fund extra support such as public CPR training and hospital green spaces, as well as equipment and roles some people consider core NHS responsibilities.
Disease charities also help deliver care, often co-funding specialist staff with the expectation that the NHS will later take over the cost.
Dementia UK says it is struggling to secure funding for its specialist dementia nurses, and services are being cut back.
WellChild has helped establish 54 specialist nurses for very sick children, but one nurse post was not retained this year and nurses carry an average of 40 cases, against a target of 15.
Funding pressures may leave patients with less support, while charities are being asked to fund posts for longer or cover more of the cost.
More than 220 NHS charities raise £620m a year to support hospitals and community services in the UK.
Their funding can pay for equipment and services that some say should be covered by NHS taxes.
Charities report growing difficulty securing NHS funding or donations as demand increases.
Dementia UK says it is being asked to fund specialist nurses for longer or cover more of their costs.
WellChild says a nurse post was not kept on this year for the first time, while its nurses have an average caseload of 40.
- Who
- NHS charities and disease-specific charities, including Dementia UK and WellChild, provide support and services. NHS bodies are also expected to take on some funding.
- What
- Charities are filling gaps in NHS services, but some report difficulty funding services and posts.
- When
- The article was published on 5 November 2026. WellChild says a nurse post was not kept on for the first time this year.
- Where
- The UK, in hospitals and community services.
- Why
- Demand is increasing, while charities say it is becoming harder to secure funding from the NHS or donations.
NHS Charities Together chief executive Ellie Orton
Critics of charity funding for core NHS services
Core NHS functions
NHS Charities Together chief executive Ellie Orton
Orton says charities can provide additional support and that public funding is finite.
Critics of charity funding for core NHS services
Some say equipment and services such as scanners and emergency department co-ordinators should be paid for through taxes.
British healthcare was provided through a mix of charities, voluntary organisations, local authorities and private arrangements.
The NHS was created, most hospitals entered public ownership and restrictions were placed on NHS hospital charities actively raising money.
The Health Services Act encouraged a more active fundraising culture for NHS charities.
WellChild says a nurse post was not kept on for the first time.
- NHS charities
- More than 220
- Annual fundraising
- £620m
- Share of health budget
- Around 0.3%, according to Ellie Orton
- WellChild nurse network
- 54 specialist nurses
- WellChild nurses' caseload
- Average of 40; intended caseload is 15
What people are saying
It's just the way it is now. We shouldn't get too ideological about this.
We are being asked to fund them for longer or find more than half the cost.
Services …