FUNDING OF CHILDREN'S HOSPICES

Motion Text

That this House notes the work undertaken at Derian House, a hospice for terminally ill children in Chorley, and other similar children's hospices; admires the staff of such hospices who perform a very difficult role with dedication and distinction; but notes with concern that, because of the small number of such hospices dedicated specifically to children, they are often under pressure in terms of room and finance; further notes that, because of the lack of children's hospice provision, one hospice often has to serve several health areas despite being funded only by the local area, as is the case with Derian House; and calls upon the Government to review the provision of hospices for children with a view to increasing financial support and making that support more equitable, by funding them through health regions rather than health areas.