Speaking at the Westminster Hall debate on ‘care of the dying’ on Tuesday 17th January, the MP for Pudsey highlighted his views on the importance of children’s hospices and stressed the important work they do to support patients and their families.

Stuart Andrew MP worked in the hospice movement for 12 years and shared his own experience working for Martin House children’s hospice in Yorkshire by adding:

“The hospice movement was about helping young people who face not only a difficult disease, but the emotional difficulty of not being able live their life in the way we do. Hospices do so much work to make the very best of difficult lives. The holistic approach they offer- the respite care, the emergency care, the terminal support and the bereavement support we have heard about – is vital to the families that need them.”

While making the point to increase funding for hospices, he also said:

“We really should spend a lot more on providing excellent care to ensure that those who are coming to the end of their lives have the very best death possible. When the Minister looks at providing money for hospices, I urge her to recognise that children’s hospices provide very different care from adult hospices.”

The Government has pledged to continue the spending commitment of £40million in grants to be awarded to hospices across the UK in order to enhance care for patients and their families. The grants will fund work ranging from installing specialist equipment, refurbishing rooms and improving gardens to enable patients and their families to spend time outdoors.