Midcheshire Independent Issue 177

FREE YOUR LOCAL GOOD NEWS-PAPER FollowusonFacebook: yourlocalinde ISSUE176 • MARCH2025 Independent YOUR LOCAL FREE MID CHESHIRE COVERINGNANTWICH,NORTHWICH,WINSFORD,MIDDLEWICH,KNUTSFORDANDSURROUNDINGAREAS Innovativework:EastCheshirehospicedeservesmorecashbackingsay localMPs A GROUP of Cheshire MPshavewritten to the government calling for more vital funding for two localhospices. Theywantameetingwith social careministerStephen Kinnockandhaveurgedhim to visitEastCheshireHos- pice inMacclesfield and St Luke’s inWinsford to see for himself the important ser- vices theyareproviding. TheMPswant to discuss ‘much-needed’ capital fund- ing for both hospiceswith theminister. In a letter to him calling for the meeting, they say: “StLuke’s andEastChesh- ireHospices provide invalu- able care to our community but receive less than 18 per cent of their funding from thegovernment.” The letterwas penned by CongletonMP SarahRus- sell, who has accepted an invitation to be a voluntary vicepresidentofEastChesh- ireHospice. Itwasalso signedbyMac- clesfieldMPTimRoca,MP for Crewe and Nantwich ConnorNaismith andMid Cheshire’sAndrewCooper. MrRoca said: “With the upcomingLeightonHospital rebuild inCrewe,wewant to ensure St Luke’sCheshire Hospice can be part of the project, creating amodern, fit-for-purpose facility. “EastCheshireHospice is also leading innovativework inpreventinghospitaladmis- sions,andwewant to secure support for itsvital services. “We’ve invited theminis- ter tovisitbothhospicesand see first-hand the incredible work they do.Our hospices deserve the funding to con- tinueproviding compassion- ate care to thosewho need itmost.” In their letter the MPs pointout thatStLuke’sonly has tenbeds inanopenward and thehospice receives just 14 per cent of is funding from the government.They say there isno space for it to expand further on its exist- ing site. Theypoint out ithasbeen a long-time aspiration of St Luke’smanagement for the hospice to be part of the LeightonHospital rebuild. And they add: “Itwould be economically efficient for the hospice to be incor- porated as part of the hos- pital programme using the monies that thehospicehas already set aside alongside somemoney from our new capitalallocation.” TheMPs also stressEast Cheshirehas capital funding needs, telling theminister: “Thehospice isdoinga lotof innovativework onavoiding hospitaladmissions. “However, due to histori- calanomalies, likeStLuke’s, it receives relatively little money from the integrated careboard.” MidCheshireMPAndrew Cooper said: “the recent announcement of £100mil- lion that the government is HELP OUR HOSPICES! MPs call for vital funding FOURschools inCheshireEastaresettospearheada‘safehaven’ parking-freepilot scheme that aims toboostpupil safety and encouragemoreactivetravel. Newautomaticnumberplaterecognition(ANPR)cameraswill be installedtohelpenforcesignedstoppingrestrictionsoutside IvyBankPrimaryandMarlboroughPrimary inMacclesfield,and ManorParkandStVincent’sprimaries inKnutsford. If the schemeproves a success it couldbe rolled out across theborough. Under the SafeHavenOutside Schoolspilot,drivers contra- veningparkingbanswillface£35fixedpenaltyfines–whichrise to£70 ifnotpaidwithin14days. School parking safety drive providing forhospices isvery welcome.StLuke’sandEast Cheshirehospices aremuch valued in our communities, butboth receive less than18 per centof their funding from the government. Hospice fundingneeds tobe fairand consistentacross the country. End of life care should not depend on the generosity of individuals.”