In common with most local people I have long had the utmost respect for the fantastic service provided at Pendleside Hospice. Everyone it seems has either benefited personally or knows some one who has. The support provided to the community goes way beyond the provision of beds within the hospice itself. Hundreds of terminally ill individuals benefit from end of life care provided by hospice nurses in their own homes. I have also learned recently of their fantastic with those who are bereaved.

Most of you will know that the hospice gets the majority of its funding from donations and an imaginative array of fundraising activities that are supported by the generosity of the general public. The hospice does though receive some important funding from the NHS.  I was disturbed recently to hear from Hospice UK that funding for hospices across England has not kept pace with inflation and funding has fallen as a proportion of the total needed. This is placing real pressure on this valuable service that we all appreciate. Added to this ongoing pressure the government is refusing to make funds available for the recent NHS staff pay award. I raised this in Parliament last week and I will continue to press for decent funding for the hospices that help so many.