SDLP donation to NI Hospice

In a joint statement the SDLP group, consisting of Councillors Helena Dallat O’Driscoll, Orla Beattie, Ashleen Schenning, and Margaret Anne McKillop, said: “This is a cause close to our hearts and we recognise that many of our charities this year have missed a lot of fundraising opportunities as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. Demand on our hospices are increasing at a surprising and steady rate but annual expenditure from government sources is falling.That’s simply unfair. We hope that our contribution helps in some way to relieve that pressure.

They continued: “We are incredibly lucky to have hospices that provide high-quality, innovative, world-class care here for patients and their families when they are going thorough the most painful of times. However, despite their huge contribution to our society, our hospices are shamefully underfunded.

“The present funding methodology is flawed and operates without evidence base or up-to-date benchmarks. We need to find urgent, sustainable solutions. Earlier this year, we brought a motion to Council calling for fair and transparent funding for hospices and we will continue to fight for these vital services so that the most vulnerable in our society and their families are cared for.

They concluded: “We must not forget that hospices are lifting the burden from the NHS which is why core funding is so important. If the situation is not addressed, families will miss out on these vital services at a time when they are at their most vulnerable.”