Following a consultation with staff, Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice has announced that Grace’s Place in Bury will now close.
Together for Short Lives acknowledges that there are a range of reasons why Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice has taken this difficult decision. These include rising costs of providing high quality care, an uncertain climate for fundraising and retail and a challenging statutory funding environment for children’s hospice and palliative care services.
Together for Short Lives’ Chief Executive Andy Fletcher said:
“This is a sad moment for the staff, volunteers and families receiving day care and support at Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice at Grace’s Place. This has been a very difficult decision to take which will hopefully help make sure that Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice is sustainable for the long-term.
“While this will mean that families may need to travel further to access care and support, it is good news that all those on the caseload at Grace’s Place have agreed how they want to be supported in the future. Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice’s priority is to continue to provide care and support to the children and families that receive day care support at Grace’s Place, making sure that they get the care they need via their Huddersfield children’s hospice and by working in partnership with other children’s hospices across Greater Manchester.
“There is now an important opportunity for local NHS organisations and local authorities to work together to secure sustainable funding for children’s hospice and palliative care services in Greater Manchester. It is also vital that the public continue to play their part by supporting those charities that provide palliative care to children in Bury, including Francis House, Derian House and Forget Me Not.
Comments
Such a shame, I was fund raising privately for this hospice for Oldham Children and families. In my view, quite disgraceful that NHS fail to support this area.