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MP urges parliament to support Sue Ryder Care

10 November 2008

Sue Ryder Care – Wheatfields Hospice has been praised by parliament this week as local MP Greg Mullholland urged Members of Parliament to recognise the success and exceptional services that the hospice provides.
 
The MP for Leeds North West who is the Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Minister laid down an Early Day Motion (EDM) to acknowledge and congratulate Sue Ryder Care – Wheatfields Hospice on its 30th anniversary.
 
He visited the hospice last week to present a framed copy of the EDM to staff.
 
Care Centre Manager who met Mr Mullholland, Samanthan Cheverton said:
 
“The motion praised the specialist care the hospice provides, its commitment to the community and the work of hundreds of volunteers whose fundraising and time ensure the hospice raises the £1.5m it needs to continue caring each year.
 
“We are thrilled that Greg Mullholland laid down this motion, visited us last week and want to thank him for his continued support.”
 
The EDM has already drawn support from MPs including Paul Truswell, Roger Williams, Mark Hunter, Ann Cryer, Lindsay Hoyle, John Leech, Roger Williams and Mike Hancock.
 
Commenting Greg said: “I was very pleased to present the motion to Parliament praising the work of Wheatfields Hospice. For thirty years it has been a leader in its field of care. The palliative service which Wheatfields provides is very inspiring and the staff deserves recognition for their fantastic work.
 
“It was a profound experience meeting the staff and patients at Wheatfields and I’m sure the Hospice will continue to provide an outstanding level of care for many years to come.”
 
And in a debate about palliative care the Liberal Democrat asked the Care Services Minister, Phil Hope MP to visit a Sue Ryder Care service and see first hand the expert care provided.
 
Mr Hope, spoke at a Sue Ryder Care fringe meeting at the Labour party conference last month said that the third sector would not have to deliver services ‘on the cheap’ under a Labour Government. 
 
Head of External Communications at Sue Ryder Care, Dan Beety commented:

 “The support of the shadow health minister and MPs who have signed the EDM, and all the MP’s whose constituents experience our services show that Sue Ryder Care continues to lead on providing expert care and recognise that these services must receive adequate funding. I thank Mr Mulholland for his continued support.”

The full Early Day Motion presented to Parliament, which is recorded in its permanent record, Hansard, earlier this month, reads:
 
EDM 2150 - Sue Ryder Care Wheatfields Hospice
That this House congratulates the Sue Ryder Care Wheatfields Hospice in Leeds for reaching its 30th birthday; recognises the high level of commitment from staff who provide an exceptional service of care to the patients, ensuring they experience a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere whilst staying there to receive palliative care; praises Wheatfields for its ability to accommodate a variety of patients' needs with a day hospice and community nurses who visit patients in their own homes; applauds the efforts of the Wheatfield volunteers who not only work in the Hospice but also fundraise on behalf of Wheatfields to ensure there are enough funds available so that the high level of care can continue; and wishes the hospice every success for the future in continuing to provide its fantastic support to the community.

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