PALLIATIVE CARE

Early day motion 782, tabled 30 June 1999 by Lorna Fitzsimons (Labour). Signed by 55 members.

That this House notes that palliative care is provided in a number of settings, most notably by the hospice movement, yet most people's experience of palliative care is in a hospital setting; believes that it is crucial that National Health Service trusts take their responsibility to deliver the highest quality palliative care seriously; further notes that many hospitals have a named individual, usually a nurse, on each ward who is responsible for palliative care and that although this is well-established practice the training and resources made available to maintain a high quality palliative care network are less well established; believes that it is unacceptable for people still to suffer from a second-class palliative service in hospital; and calls on the Government, working with outside professionals and organisations, to identify existing good practice and ensure all United Kingdom citizens can expect the same high levels of care currently experienced by the minority.

Signatures by party: Labour 39, Liberal Democrat 7, Labour/Co-operative 5, UUP 2, Plaid Cymru 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.