The government today approved the allocation of additional funding of €12.1 million for the payment of services provided by mobile palliative care teams — €5.85 million to the Ministry of Welfare for the social component of services from August to November this year and €6.27 million to the National Health Service for medical expenses. The funding is allocated from contingency funds. The services of mobile palliative care teams at home include treatment and relief of symptoms caused by illness, as well as social care and psychological, social, and spiritual support. The services are intended for adults who have a decision from a hospital board of doctors of the fourth or fifth level regarding the need for palliative care at home with a life expectancy of up to six months. Support can also be provided to the relatives of patients and other individuals involved in their care, including after the loss of loved ones. The Ministry of Health notes that the number of recipients of home palliative care services continues to grow. In the first half of last year, 1,793 patients received these services, while in the first half of this year, 2,406 patients received them, which is an increase of 613 patients, or 34%. From January 2025 to June of this year, a total of 4,500 patients received home services. Of these, 3,595 patients, or 80%, received assistance for up to 180 days, while 905 patients, or 20%, received assistance for more than six months. The services of mobile palliative care teams at patients' homes in Latvia have been gradually introduced since 2023. They are provided by four companies — SIA "Cilvēks", SIA "Hospiss Māja", SIA "Magnum Social & Medical Care", and SIA "Med4U". Service providers cared for 3,097 patients last year compared to 1,899 patients in 2024. Thus, the number of patients increased by 1,198 people, or 63%. Funding for services increased from €6.08 million in 2024 to €13.69 million in 2025, while the average cost per patient per year increased from €3,199 to €4,420.
