Care Minister attends cross-party Government group to discuss children’s hospice care
Representatives from across the children’s hospice sector came together at a cross-party group to discuss children’s palliative care this week.
Care Minister Stephen Kinnock also attended the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Children Who Need Palliative Care at Westminster on Tuesday (18 November) as part of a lobby day organised by Together for Short Lives (TfSL).
Demelza’s CEO Lavinia Jarrett was one of those in attendance.
The aim of the event was to urge the Government to commit to ending the postcode lottery in children’s palliative care by ensuring the NHS 10-year plan is a pivotal moment for them to take action.
Three MPs who represent areas where Demelza supports children with serious or life-limiting conditions were also in attendance. Dartford MP Jim Dickson, Old Bexley and Sidcup MP Louie French and Herne Bay and Sandwich MP Sir Roger Gale all went along to hear from TfSL and speak with Lavinia.
She said: “Tuesday’s APPG was a great opportunity for representatives from the children’s hospice sector to speak with the Care Minister about the meaningful change we want to see the Government make for children with serious or life-limiting conditions.
“I am grateful to the three Demelza MPs who took the time to drop into the APPG and speak with me about the challenges faced by the sector.
“We are looking forward to working with them and the wider Government to make sure every child with complex conditions can access the high quality, sustainable palliative care they need, when and where they need it.”
“Tuesday’s APPG was a great opportunity for representatives from the children’s hospice sector to speak with the Care Minister about the meaningful change we want to see the Government make for children with serious or life-limiting conditions."