Motion to bring palliative care back to Jarrow after closure of St Clare's Hospice gets backing of MPs

The MP Kate Osborne has secured the backing of a number of MPs - including shadow chancellor John McDonnell - for a motion to bring palliative care back to Jarrow.
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The Labour MP tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) in parliament calling on the government to recognise the “desperate need” for palliative care provision in her constituency.

It comes as the row over end-of-life care in South Tyneside continues following the closure of St Clare’s Hospice in 2019.

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The hospice collapsed into insolvency after more than 30 years providing care to vulnerable patients at its base in Primrose Hill.

Former St Clare's Hospice, Jarrow.Former St Clare's Hospice, Jarrow.
Former St Clare's Hospice, Jarrow.

In the months since a number of grassroots campaigns have launched in a bid to see the hospice reopened.

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Jarrow MP, Kate Osborne.Jarrow MP, Kate Osborne.
Jarrow MP, Kate Osborne.

Now more than 20 MPs, including the shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, have signed the motion to bring replacement end-of-life care to the constituency.

North East Labour MPs including Ian Mearns, Gateshead, Mike Hill, Hartlepool, Grahame Morris, Easington and Mary Kelly Foy, City of Durham have also backed the motion.

The EDM notes the importance of St Clare’s Hospice for local residents and calls on the House to recognise the “desperate need for palliative care provision in the Jarrow” as well as a “maintain, improve and fully fund all health services across South Tyneside.”

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Speaking in parliament on January 28, Ms Osborne said: “Life expectancy advances depend on good local service provision.

“Following the devastating closure of St Clare’s Hospice we should be taking all steps possible to ensure palliative care provision is urgently put in place in Jarrow constituency.”