A plea for funding from the Welsh Assembly Government has been made to ensure the future of St Kentigern’s Hospice, St Asaph.
Although it is thought that the threat of immediate closure has been averted, it has announced that jobs and beds will be cut from St Kentigern’s Hospice due to a lack of funds. Darren Millar, Assembly Member for Clwyd West, has called on the Welsh Assembly Government to make funds available to safeguard the future of services at the Hospice.
Speaking after raising the issue in the Assembly, Darren said:
‘I have been contacted by both concerned constituents and members of staff regarding the future of the Hospice. I’m deeply concerned about the situation.
‘St Kentigern’s provides high quality palliative and end-of-life care for many people in north Wales. However, the hospice receives just 18 per cent of its income from Welsh Assembly Government sources each year, compared with a significantly higher proportion of income received by hospices over the border in England – this is unacceptable.
‘The Assembly Government must look carefully at the situation to secure sustainable funding for St Kentigern’s and other North Wales hospices in order that these vital services can be maintained.
‘I’ll be doing all I can to ensure that the future of St Kentigern’s is assured.’
