North-west of England's hospices to receive £9.2m government fund
Hospices in the north-west of England provide services for about 23,000 people, with demand and costs continuing to rise. Unlike the NHS, hospices are not fully funded by the state and rely on charity contributions for about two-thirds of their funding.The sector reported an estimated shortfall of £60m during the last financial year.
'Important support'
Speaking earlier this week at Wigan & Leigh Hospice, which received £500,000, Kinnock said financially struggling hospices needed a long-term funding plan.He also said the Department for Health and Social Care "need to step up and do our bit".Paul Waugh, Labour MP for Rochdale, said it was "great news" that the town's Springhill Hospice, where one of his relatives was cared for, had been awarded £335,000.And Phil Brickell, Labour MP for Bolton, said a £321,556 grant for Bolton Hospice "will make a real difference".Brickell, who climbed Africa's highest mountain Kilimanjaro to raise funds in 2023, said: "While hospices operate outside of the NHS, it's important that we support them wherever we can."The funds are expected to be used for an array of improvements, including separate family rooms and specially adapted beds.
Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
13 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Medical regulator urged to rule that NHS strikes are 'incompatible' with doctors' duty to protect patients
The medical regulator is being urged to rule that NHS strikes are 'incompatible' with doctors' duty to protect patients. The General Medical Council (GMC) is facing calls to review its guidelines for practitioners following the latest walkout by resident doctors. Amid an ongoing row over pay, resident doctors - formerly known as junior doctors - have just staged a five-day strike to bring huge disruption to the NHS in England. The British Medical Association (BMA), the union behind the walkout, has refused to rule out further strikes if the Government doesn't meet their demands. The GMC is now under pressure to take 'immediate' steps to prevent a further walkout. In a letter to the regulator, Tory shadow health secretary Stuart Andrew has told the GMC to review its 'Good Medical Practice', which doctors are expected to abide by. This sets out the principles, values and standards expected of all doctors, and includes 'making the care of patients the first concern'. The Conservatives want the GMC to look again at the guidelines with 'a view to make striking incompatible with Good Medical Practice'. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has already pledged to ban doctors' strikes if the Conservatives return to power. She vowed to introduce legislation to block medics from taking widespread industrial action, placing the same restrictions on them that apply to police officers and soldiers. The Tory plans would see minimum service level requirements - which were brought in for some sectors by the previous government and scrapped by Labour - introduced across the health service. But, in his letter to GMC chief executive Charlie Massey, Mr Andrew said that 'action is needed now' to protect NHS patients while legislative measures are formulated. He wrote: 'Our proposals require new primary legislation, particularly relating to the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. 'If the Government will not make these changes, patients will be condemned to four more years of disruptive strikes. Conservatives believe that action is needed now. 'Given the reckless approach the BMA has taken, warning that the recent strikes may even cause harm to patients, we believe that in response the GMC must review Good Medical Practice with a view to make striking incompatible with Good Medical Practice. 'This would have the immediate effect of preventing further strikes while legislative measures were formulated and ensure patients and their safety remain at the core of Good Medical Practice. 'We hope that the GMC can stand with us in protecting the health of patients upholding the fundamental duty of care of the NHS.' A GMC spokesperson said: 'Doctors are legally entitled to take part in lawful industrial action, including strike action. 'During strike action, doctors' employers will have a vital role in planning and preparing for how patients will be cared for. 'They play an important part in maintaining the continuity of patient care to the highest possible standard. 'We expect any doctors choosing to take part in strike action to continue to follow the principles of our guidance, Good Medical Practice. 'It highlights the importance of doctors working collaboratively with the healthcare team to keep patients safe, staying within the limits of their competence.' But, in a letter to GMC chief executive Charlie Massey, shadow health secretary Stuart Andrew said 'action is needed now' to protect NHS patients while legislative measures are formulated Both the Labour Government and BMA have said they are prepared to continue negotiations with a view to avert further strike action. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said talks could lead to improvements in the working lives of resident doctors but he has repeatedly said there is no more money for pay. But BMA leaders have insisted that there must be some pay discussions during talks. The BMA has also launched a 'linked dispute' with the Government over a lack of places for doctors in training, which could lead to common ground during future talks. The BMA has branded the Tory pledge to ban doctors' strikes if they return to power as 'a desperate intervention from a party that spent nearly 15 years failing the NHS'. Dr Tom Dolphin, BMA chair of council, said: 'Threatening to ban strike action is not the right response for a modern democracy. 'Doctors aren't militants - they're professionals sounding the alarm about a health service in crisis. Silencing them won't fix the NHS. Listening to them might. 'Patients are having operations or appointments postponed every single day in the NHS due to understaffing and lack of beds, and undervaluing staff contributes to that. 'Doctors have a human right to strike just like everyone else. If something is wrong, you don't ban the canary in a coalmine from singing. 'Striking is always the last resort and should never be used lightly, but fundamentally the right to strike should always be there.' He added: 'The BMA and NHS England have in place an agreed national 'derogations' process whereby hospitals can request to have specific striking doctors return to work in the event of an unforeseen emergency or mass casualty event. 'That process is there day and night throughout industrial action, and we remain ready to respond to any emergency requests. 'However, we need to be clear that the purpose of this agreement is not to facilitate the continued delivery of non-urgent care.'
The Independent
15 minutes ago
- The Independent
Charity completes renovations at home of disabled boy after father's death
The widow of an electrician who died following mental health struggles has thanked volunteers for completing the renovation project he had started for their disabled son. Shaun Fletcher, 44, had been working on improvements to the family home near Swaffham, Norfolk, before he took his own life last December. His son Toby, 16, requires round-the-clock palliative care due to quadriplegic cerebral palsy and dystonia – uncontrolled and sometimes painful muscle movements. As Toby's ground floor bedroom was an empty shell and his mother Sarah Fletcher was unable to access overnight support, she had to carry him upstairs to bed and care for him each night. Mother-of-six Mrs Fletcher turned to national construction charity Band of Builders for help to complete Toby's room. More than 150 volunteers rallied round and completed the project in 12 days, completing all renovations as well as landscaping the front and back of the house. Addressing volunteers after they had finished the project, Mrs Fletcher said: 'We can't thank you all enough; you're all superheroes. 'It's felt like we've been living on a building site for a few years, and I can't believe how much has been done to complete it in such a short space of time. 'Toby's room is incredible, and this means we can finally get overnight support for him. 'The house is amazing and a poignant legacy for Shaun, and we now have a home where my family can start to heal.' Toby was born 13 weeks premature, which resulted in a lack of oxygen to his brain and led to cerebral palsy and dystonia. His condition affects his muscle control, leading to painful involuntary movements that make it difficult for him to gain weight. He is also deaf and is fed directly into his bowel. To help manage his dystonia he has a deep brain stimulator, with electrodes in his brain connected to a battery pack in his abdomen. He requires round-the-clock care, including numerous medications throughout the day and night. He is housebound and relies on stretcher transport for all appointments. Gavin Crane, chief executive of Band of Builders, said as many as 40 tradespeople were on site for each of the 12 days – including groundworkers, electricians, bathroom fitters, plumbers, decorators, landscapers, solar panel engineers and smart home specialists. 'This was our most ambitious project to date and everyone who supported us – be it volunteers, businesses, suppliers of materials, and the local community who provided food and refreshment – has reminded us all what kindness looks like. 'What happened to this family resonates with so many members of our community and across the construction industry. 'Grief, pressure and mental health concerns are all things we understand too well. 'We hope that in finishing what Shaun started, we've done him proud and that wherever he is, he knows his family is now safe in a completed home surrounded by the love and empathy of some amazing people.' Tim Winstanley, senior brand manager at Dewalt, which sponsored the project, said everyone was 'deeply moved by the compassion and dedication shown by every volunteer'.
Daily Mail
16 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Mother-of-three 'unrecognisable' after shedding four stone without jabs - all she did was kick £1,200-a-year 'addiction' to a food favourite
A busy mother-of-three dropped an impressive four stone in only a matter of months by kicking her £1,200-a-year addiction to cheese. Lucy Castle, 41, from Leicestershire, fell into a trap of unhealthy eating—gorging on oven baked camembert, brie and french bread—whilst she ran around after her three boys. But when she was diagnosed with type two diabetes in March 2024, she knew something had to change. 'I was a busy mum so I used to find the quickest easiest option,' the diet consultant and women's wellness coach said. 'But cheese was wrecking my life. I was spending £25 a week on different cheeses. My favourite was brie,' she added. As well as covering her meals in cheese, she would also snack of chocolate bars and crisps throughout the day, before ordering a takeaway—whatever was 'easiest'. But after having her youngest son, now two, Ms Castle's health quickly began to decline as she struggled to lose the baby weight and her confidence plummeted. 'I wasn't feeling well. I was dizzy. I had pins and needles and come out in sweats,' she said. 'I used to avoid social events, hide away in baggy clothes and I couldn't keep up with my boys.' Then after visiting her GP, the mother-of-three was diagnosed with type two diabetes—a common condition in which the body struggles to make enough of the hormone insulin, increasing the risk of heart disease, kidney disease and even stroke. Unlike type one diabetes however, the condition is preventable and can be managed through diet and exercise. 'That was my wake-up call,' Ms Castle said. Determined to reverse her diagnosis and be able to keep up with her growing boys, Ms Castle tried the 1:1 diet—a very low calorie diet plan designed for rapid weight loss, also known as the Cambridge diet. The plan involves eating four replacement meals a day—specially made shakes, soups, porridges and snack bars—which fulfil a person's daily nutritional requirements while avoiding added calories. The diet works by putting the body into a state of ketosis—forcing it to burn stored fat rather than carbohydrate for energy. Ms Castle, who now supports others with their weight loss journeys, said: 'Seeing the scales every week and my weight going down—it kept me motivated. Lucy said she used to hid away in baggy clothes and avoid social events because of her weight 'Before I couldn't keep up with my children. My back was hurting—my knees, my hips. Now I have more energy. 'I feel so much happier, my health is back on track and I'm enjoying life with my boys more than ever.' The busy mother managed to lose a stone a month, totalling an impressive four stone on the diet which she has now stopped in favour of home-cooked meals such as chicken stir-fry and healthy snacks after reversing her diabetes. She added: 'For the first time in years, I now love shopping for clothes that make me feel amazing.' Now the mother-of-three hopes to inspire others to lose weight and prioritise their health. 'You can do this too,' the wellness coach said. 'Take it one day at a time, stop being hard on yourself, and practice self-love. 'It's not just about losing weight—it's about finding yourself again.' The Cambridge diet remains one of the most restrictive diets out there and a popular alternative to blockbuster weight loss jabs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro. Participants are given a low-calorie diet, totalling around 800 calories a day for between 12 and 20 weeks. Dieters on the plan will also get support from a nurse or dietitian to reintroduce healthy foods and maintain weight loss, while medications for type two diabetes can be stopped if seemed safe. Adults who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the last six years and have a BMI of over 27 are eligible for the programme. Since its launch in 2020, over 25,000 people have been offered the NHS soup and shake programme, with the number to double in the next five years. However, experts have warned that forcing the body to burn fat rather than carbohydrates can have devastating consequences for women's health. Lisa Goldstein, a leading nutritionist who specialises in reproductive health told the Daily Mail: 'When you don't eat enough - especially too few carbs - your brain can switch off ovulation.' Medically known as hypothalamic amenorrhea, this is the body's way of avoiding pregnancy when energy reserves are low, she explained. This can be caused by being on a calorie-restrictive diet. 'Unlike men, women's reproductive systems require a minimum threshold of calories, carbs and body fat to function', she added. The 1:1 diet has also been linked to muscle loss, fatigue, diarrhoea and gallbladder stones.
