The Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, Janet Finch-Saunders MS, has met with representatives from the UK’s leading end of life charity, Marie Curie, to discuss health inequalities in North Wales and the need for an End-of-Life Care Delivery Plan. During the meeting, Janet was presented with a daffodil bulb which should flower by the time of the National Day of Reflection, set for Wednesday 23rd March 2022.
Marie Curie provide practical information and support on all aspect of life with terminal illness, dying and bereavement. In the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board region alone, the organisation has 138 volunteers, including helpers, community fundraisers, hospice, and retail workers. Residents can call their support line free on 0800 090 2309 or chat with the charity online via www.mariecurie.org.uk/help.
Commenting on the discussions, Janet said:
“It was a pleasure meeting with representatives from Marie Curie at the Welsh Parliament in Cardiff. These discussions have once again underlined the huge unmet need for palliative care in Wales, with estimates believing that around 6,035 people in the Betsi Cadwaladr area would benefit from such provision.
“To facilitate and strengthen end of life care planning and delivery on a local level, I have persistently been clear that the Welsh Government must make end of life care a focus on a national level.
“When looking at the projected location of deaths over the next two decades, research demonstrates that we will see a significant increase in those occurring in the community. Given that there were an estimated 78,512 unpaid carers tending lovingly for their nearest and dearest in the Betsi Cadwaladr region in 2011, the strain this will have on local residents is plain to see.
“Wales now has an unrivalled opportunity to build back a compassionate country. The Welsh Government must build on loose commitments made by introducing a right to respite for our unpaid carers and provide a new funding settlement to our hospices.”
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS at the Marie Curie Senedd event.
