Hospice and Palliative Care Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateBrian Mathew
Main Page: Brian Mathew (Liberal Democrat - Melksham and Devizes)Department Debates - View all Brian Mathew's debates with the Department of Health and Social Care
(9 months, 3 weeks ago)
Commons Chamber
Brian Mathew (Melksham and Devizes) (LD)
I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Wimbledon (Mr Kohler) for bringing forward this important debate, and all hon. Members for speaking with such compassion.
Although the £100 million for hospice capital projects is to be welcomed, it is cash that is most needed. Julia’s House, a children’s hospice in my constituency that has already been mentioned, will find itself out of pocket by £242,000 per year because of the rise in national insurance. Dorothy House hospice, which is also in my constituency, will lose even more. That is a lot of sponsored walks and parachute jumps—perhaps too many—if the hospices are to avoid cutting their services. I urge the Minister to think again, and to provide the funds that our hospices need.
I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.