The daughter of a woman who was cared for by a hospice team is calling for the new government to make end-of-life care a priority. 

Emma Rayner has shared how the Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough supported her family during the final stages of her mother's life.  

As the country’s MPs gathered at Parliament for their first day in their new jobs yesterday (Monday), she is urging the government to make end-of-life care and bereavement support a priority and increase funding.  

Emma, from Peterborough, said: “Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough was there for my mum and I do not think any words will fully encompass what the care provided meant to mum and to us as her family and how essential it was in being able to start our healing journey.  

“Once mum was transferred to the Sue Ryder hospice, I truly felt like a weight had been lifted and I was able to just be her daughter again, rather than her carer; someone who arrived each day to jab her in her stomach.  

“Instead, I was able to sit with her, hold her hand and make precious memories. What greater gift is there to give to a family at the end of their loved one’s life?  

“But these life-changing services don’t have enough funding from the government, and many people don’t know about the help hospices give and how to access it.” 

Hospices on average only receive a third of the funding they need from the government - and rely on fundraising efforts and donations for the rest.  

Allison Mann, Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice's Service Director, explained the cost of providing hospice care has increased by 20 per cent in the last year while government funding only went up three per cent. 

She said: "We are so grateful to so many kind-hearted supporters and communities across Cambridgeshire who are selling cakes and holding raffles to raise funds to help cover the shortfalls in funding we face.  

“But we shouldn't have to rely on people's generosity and sell second hand cardigans in our charity shops so people aren’t left to face death and grief alone.   

"The next Government must do better.” 

Sue Ryder has launched an open letter to the government which you can pledge your support and sign at sueryder.org/letter.