Newcastle North MP, Catherine McKinnell, gave her support for children with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions in Newcastle North at recent event in Parliament held by children’s palliative care charity, Together for Short Lives.
The event took place during Children’s Hospice Week (13-20th June), the national awareness and fundraising week for children not expected to reach adulthood, and the services – like children’s hospices – that support them. Catherine was invited to attend the event by Newcastle-based charity, St. Oswald’s Hospice.
Following the event, Catherine agreed to write to local Clinical Commissioning Groups and Newcastle City Council to ask what action they are taking to integrate services for children who need palliative care. Catherine also committed to asking health and social care commissioners how they were funding palliative care services supporting children with life-limiting conditions – and their families – in Newcastle North.
Catherine said:
‘I know how vital the care provided by organisations like St Oswald’s Hospice is to families across Newcastle. Yet, commissioning of services, particularly from the voluntary sector, can be patchy and inconsistent across the country. Well-commissioned and co-ordinated palliative care helps families make the most of their precious time together.
‘It is essential that health and social care services work together to ensure that this provision is joined up and funded fairly and sustainably, and I want to ensure that very ill children and their families in Newcastle are receiving the best possible care and support.’