Naomi House children’s hospice welcomed a senior member of David Cameron’s Shadow Cabinet today (Weds 3 March 2010).
Shadow Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley MP visited the charity, which is based in Sutton Scotney near Winchester, accompanied by Prospective Winchester MP Steve Brine.
Hosted by NH Chairman Prof Khalid Aziz and Chief Executive Ray Kipling, the group toured the original part of the hospice where they chatted with staff and parents about a wide range of issues and their experiences of caring for their children and the help given by Naomi House.
They also took a look at the new Jacks Place building which is a £12m brand new facility on the same site. In the past it was unusual for children with life-limiting conditions to live beyond their teenage years. However, since opening 12 years ago the hospice this has changed a lot and medical advances mean that some of the children are now looking forward to growing up to become young adults, and they have very different needs. The team at Naomi House recognised that the charity would not be able to continue to provide care for them in the children’s hospice, but no suitable alternative was available in the central South of England so Jacks Place @ Naomi House was born.
Speaking after the visit, Steve Brine said; “Khalid and Ray asked me last year if I would bring Andrew Lansley to Naomi House and I promised them that I would do just that so today was the fulfilment of a promise and I was delighted he had the chance to see some of the great work they do for young people and their families. I always love visiting Naomi House and hate it in equal measure because it is inspiring and heartbreaking but I am so proud to have this charity in the Winchester constituency and I will do everything I can if I become the local MP to see they are supported, both locally by me and nationally by any new Conservative Government.
“I know Andrew enjoyed the visit and welcomed the chance to discuss the hospice movement with Professor Aziz and Ray Kipling, especially care for very sick children and the links between care within the NHS and the work they do at Naomi House.”
More information ..
Visit Naomi House online and help them with the final push to raise the £12m needed for Jacks Place. www.naomihouse.org.uk
‘Supporting Children’s Hospices’ – see related story here.
Pictured; Steve Brine, Andrew Lansley MP and Prof Khalid Aziz outside the new Jacks Place @ Naomi House.