Local MPs Harpreet Uppal, Jade Botterill, Kim Leadbeater and Paul Davies have welcomed today’s announcement of the release of funding for upgrades and refurbishments for The Kirkwood (£160,020) and Forget Me Not (£75,232). This vital investment is part of the Government’s nationwide boost of £100m over three years to improve hospice facilities, the largest investment in hospices in a generation.

Kirklees MPs have been actively engaging with the Government on this issue and are pleased to see this positive step towards supporting local hospices. In January, Harpreet Uppal, Jade Botterill, Kim Leadbeater, Paul Davies and Iqbal Mohamed visited Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice to discuss the funding challenges facing both hospices. This announcement provides much-needed reassurance to the hospices, which have been grappling with significant funding gaps.

In a joint statement, Labour MPs Harpreet Uppal, Jade Botterill, Kim Leadbeater and Paul Davies said:
“We are delighted that the Government has listened to concerns locally and provided this essential funding for The Kirkwood and Forget Me Not Hospices. These organisations provide exceptional care and support to families during the most difficult times, and today’s announcement is a crucial step towards securing their future. We look forward to continuing our work with the Government to ensure long-term sustainability for these vital services. We are also keen to see palliative care included in the NHS 10-Year Plan, ensuring these hospices receive the ongoing support they need.”

Michael Crowther, CEO at The Kirkwood, said:
“Today’s funding announcement from the government is welcome; it recognises the important role hospices like The Kirkwood play in providing vital palliative and end of life care for patients and families in their local communities.

Just 25% of our funding comes from the NHS, so we rely on the generosity of the general public to fund the majority of our services.

Having met with all our local MPs in recent weeks, we are aligned in our belief that everyone affected by life limiting and life shortening conditions deserves access to the very best care as they approach the end of life. We are confident they will continue to advocate for our local hospices at the highest level, to ensure we see long-term sustainable funding for hospices”

Gareth Pierce, CEO at Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, added:
“This is positive news and shows that the government recognises the financial pressures we face. This funding allocation will help towards the costs of keeping our children’s hospice safe and comfortable for the children and families we support. And will free up money for us to spend on delivering services for those children and families in the short-term. Alongside our Kirklees MPs, we’re keen to see a more sustainable funding model for hospices to protect those services in the long-term.”

Kirklees MPs remain committed to collaborating with the Government and local health partners to ensure a sustainable funding model is developed. They will continue to advocate for these hospices and work to ensure compassionate, high-quality care is available to all who need it.

ENDS

Editors notes –  full details of the Government’s Press Release can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hospices-receive-multi-million-pound-boost-to-improve-facilities