The loss of a Government grant would impact on Hope House hospice's ability to provide its current levels of care, an MP has heard.
North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan visited Hope House as it seeks to secure the future of the Children’s Hospice Grant, which NHS England has not yet committed to beyond 2023/4.
Hope House, in Morda, would not be able to maintain its current level of care and support for seriously ill children in Shropshire, North Wales and Mid Wales without the continuation of the grant next year, the MP said.
The MP has pledged to support the campaign, alongside other Liberal Democrat MPs in Parliament hoping to maintain the grant, and says she intends to write to the Secretary of State for Health.
Mrs Morgan said: “Hope House do incredible work to support families across Shropshire and beyond, supporting them to make the most of life in what are often the most unimaginably hard circumstances.
“It’s crucial that the Government commits to continue funding the Children’s Hospice Grant.
OTHER NEWS:
- Morda house fire that caused deaths of mother and son caused by fault in TV - inquest
- Refurbished Oswestry nightclub set to open this Bank Holiday weekend
- Inquest told meeting between woman's family and medical experts did not go ahead
“Without it, fantastic charities like Hope House won’t be able to provide crucial care for children and support families – the human cost of that cut would be unbearable.
“Thank you to the wonderful team at Hope House for taking the time to show me around.
“I feel privileged to have met some of the superstar children and carers.”
Mrs Morgan visited the hospice in the same week that she saw Gobowen’s Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital’s new orthopaedic centre for military veterans be opened by the Duchess of Edinburgh.
Andy Goldsmith, chief executive at Hope House, welcomed the commitment from Mrs Morgan after her visit.
Want to stay up to date with all the latest stories from Oswestry and the surrounding area? Click here to sign up for our morning and daily email newsletters and click on the + for the ‘Morning Briefing’ and the 'Daily Catch-Up'.
He said: “We are very grateful to Helen for taking time to see first-hand the care that Hope House provides to seriously ill children and for her support for our campaign to protect the Children’s Hospice Grant.
“To think that this vital funding may be reduced or lost, and the impact this would have on our ability to provide care, makes it vital that we do all we can to ensure that this doesn't happen."
Hope House provides end-of-life care and support for children and their families, relying on fundraising.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here