Lib Dem Shadow Children's Minister Visited Children's Hospice

12.00.00am GMT Tue 21st Dec 2004

Annette Brooke, Lib Dem Shadow Children's minister visited Christopher's

Hospice in Guildford this week with local MP Sue Doughty.

Annette Brooke said:

"Children's Hospices do a wonderful job, but are being taken for granted by the NHS. Hospices should not be expected to pick up the bill for the costs they save the NHS. The government is playing Scrooge at Xmas when they should accept their responsibilities to some of the most vulnerable in our society."

Sue added:

"It is wrong that a NHS hospital should ask Christopher's to take over the care of a child without some funding for nursing, GP care and drugs being made available. This would not happen in an Adult Hospice where supporting funding is provided, and it should not happen in a Children's hospice."