10:00am Friday 25th December 2009
By Michelle Archard
PATIENTS and carers have welcomed David Cameron’s plan to pay hospices for every patient they look after as part of moves to guarantee their long-term future.
The Conservative leader said hospices would get a cash handout for each patient if the party won next year’s general election.
He also pledged that as a first step, a Tory government would continue a £10million annual grant for children’s hospices, which has not been confirmed beyond March 2011 by Labour.
Little Havens children’s hospice in Thundersley is delighted at the pledge, which will help towards its £2.3million yearly running costs, although under the Tory plans, there will be a reduction in the overall handout available.
Chief executive Andy Smith said: “We receive about 18 per cent of this from Government sources, with the funding pledged to continue by a future Conservative government of around £300,000 per year, representing 15 per cent.
“This is a significant amount, but we will continue to rely on the fantastic generosity of local people to keep the hospice open and to keep crucial care services running.”
Wendy Dodds, director of care at Little Havens, added: “£300,000 is the equivalent of maintaining our community care services to more than 50 children and their families.
“This pledge means longer term security for funding enabling us to deliver care.”
MUM WELCOMES FUNDING COMMITMENT
The MUM of a little boy with leukaemia has welcomed the Tory hospice funding plans.
Nine-year-old Harry Brown is staying at Little Havens children’s hospice, Thundersley, for a regular respite stay before Christmas.
Mum Sarah, 38, from Westcliff, says the hospice does a fantastic job and she understands the need for more money is never ending.
Sarah said: “Harry goes to Havens every six to eight weeks for about four nights at a time.
“It’s for extra care for him and respite for us both. It’s also a chance for him to let off steam and be himself. They’re fantastic there. He has 24-hour attention from the staff.
“Once Harry is cured we will still carry on raising money.”
Harry has been having oral chemotherapy treatment for two years, and has ten months left of treatment. He is improving and even returned to Earls Hall Junior School full-time in September.
He is helping family friend Robert Shaw, who dresses as Santa, to raise money for Havens and has decorated his house in Kenilworth Gardens, Westcliff, with Christmas lights.
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