Burstow takes hat off to hospice and support provided by local community

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 20th Sep 2004

Paul Burstow, MP for Sutton and Cheam, last week sung the praises of St Raphael's hospice in Parliament.

Speaking in a House of Commons debate on the hospice movement last Wednesday, Mr Burstow singled out praise for the 250 part-time volunteers who provide invaluable support to the hospice patients and staff. He also congratulated the Sutton Guardian's campaign to raise £50,000 to extend the services provided by hospice.

Paul Burstow said:

"St. Raphael's hospice has a fantastic team of staff and an extraordinary team of volunteers, who go out of their way to make a difference to the quality of life of patients and families who are struggling to cope with the difficult circumstances that brought them to the hospice. Two hundred and fifty volunteers play a part in that hospice and I take my hat off to them for their efforts.

"The fact that Sutton Guardian's campaign to raise £50,000 to expand the services provided by St. Raphael's hospice hit the halfway mark in less than three months indicates how powerfully hospices move local populations, how strongly people feel attached to them and how much people are willing to dip into their own pockets to ensure that their hospice survives, thrives and continues to support people in the local community."

Across the country as few as 1 per cent of all those who could benefit from the sort of care provided by hospices, currently have access to these specialist services.

In the debate Mr Burstow said that this figure was an "appalling indictment" and called on the Government to ensure that the proper funding was put in and the services developed so that all who can benefit from these services do benefit. ENDS.