Hospices to share in windfall

Dr Kershaw's Lisa Pearson: funding will make a difference

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HOSPICES providing end-of-life care for children and adults across the North-West will benefit from government funding of more than £11 million.

The Department for Health is giving more than half a million pounds to support terminally-ill children across Oldham, Bury and Rochdale with a new hospice in Bury.

Royton’s Dr Kershaw’s Hospice will receive £120,104 as part of the health department’s strategy to provide high-quality terminal care.

Rochdale’s Springhill Hospice will receive £406,000 towards its palliative care for adults, while £165,000 will also go to Ashton’s Willow Wood hospice.

Francis House Children’s Hospice in Didsbury will also receive £510,000.

Announcing the grants yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “Hospices help patients and their families at what can be the most difficult part of their life. This will help to bring hospices up to date, so staff and volunteers can work in modern environments. Patients will see a huge difference in their surroundings.”

Overall 31 North-West hospices will benefit from the £60 million total funding across the country.

The old Bury Hospice is set to be transformed into a children’s hospice for North Manchester.

The chairman of Bury Hospice, Michael Garrity revealed the £507,297 windfall brings their hopes of creating a much-needed children’s hospice for the area much closer.

He said: “We have a unique opportunity to transform our old site on Dumers Lane to offer palliative care for local children.”