An Aberdeen politician has highlighted the impact of the increase in employer contributions to NHS pension schemes on hospice organisations.
And MSP Mark McDonald has called for the Scottish Government to provide support to meet the liability.
Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) has claimed that the increase from 14.9% to 20.9%, will lead to them facing a bill, equivalent to the salary of nine nurses.
And the charity has warned that the pressures of meeting this increase will impact upon frontline services.
Speaking after raising the matter at First Minister’s Questions, Mr McDonald said: “This is a serious and looming issue for the hospice sector, and the impact this increase will have upon the ability of organisations to deliver vital frontline support to individuals and families cannot be underestimated.
“The hospice sector in England and Wales has been given assurances that funding will be available to meet the costs of this increase, and I am asking the Scottish Government to make the same guarantee for organisations north of the border.”
Chief executive of CHAS, Maria McGill, said “I really welcome the commitment from the Cabinet Secretary to look into this so quickly.
“CHAS wants to reach every child in Scotland with a life-shortening condition, but dramatic and sudden pensions’ increase like this have a significant impact on the work we can plan for next year.”