§ David Taylor (North-West Leicestershire)In March 2002, the availability of terminal, respite and day care facilities for the communities of North-West Leicestershire, South Derbyshire and adjacent areas was seriously reduced when Sue Ryder Care summarily closed its much valued and greatly loved hospice at Staunton Harold Hall. Although the local NHS trust has since supplied alternative services and obtained some extra places in nearby hospitals, the view of many people who have worked unstintingly for years giving time to and raising finance for Staunton Harold is that a successor facility is needed to help to provide improved palliative care in the area.
Banded together as Hospice Hope, Dorothy Lacey, June Matthews, Carol Smith, Jan and Stewart Shepherd, Lee Cooper and others have prepared a petition containing 2,260 signatures to the House of Commons and I am privileged to present it.
The petition declares that:
Hospice Hope and the supporting signatories believe that North West Leicestershire and adjacent areas need the restoration of its own hospice and associated day care centre for those requiring palliative care.The petitioners therefore urge the House of Commons to pass the necessary legislation to provide the resources needed to afford the people of North West Leicestershire and surrounding areas an adequate level of access to palliative care in a hospice or day care environment.
§ And the petitioners remain etc.
§ To lie upon the Table.