My week ended on a double high – all thanks to the NHS and some wonderful news about children’s hospices.
Sally and I went for our annual flu jabs. We’d been texted to let us know we were entitled to them, and booking the appointments was simple and efficient. The nurse who gave us the jabs was charming, reassuring, and explained clearly what to do if we felt unwell afterwards.
For someone like me, living with dementia, that sort of care matters. It made me feel safe, respected, and well looked after.
The second high point came when I read about a much-needed funding boost for children’s hospices. We, as a family, have long supported our local hospice – Naomi House & Jack’s Place, which provide care for seriously ill children, teenagers, and young adults.
These hospices exist thanks to remarkable private generosity and survive mostly through donations and tireless fundraising.
I remember with great honour presenting 12 red roses – the symbolic annual rent – to Naomi, the daughter of Mary Cornelius-Reid, who donated the land for Naomi House in 1992. The gift came with a condition: that the hospice be named after her daughter and that the charity pay its "rent" with a dozen red roses each Midsummer's Day. Naomi remains a kind and committed supporter.
The land for Jack’s Place, which is part of the same charity, was donated by the National Lottery Community Fund – so a big thank you to Lottery players. Major donors like the late Jack Witham, who left a generous legacy, and Professor Khalid Aziz, who helped raise significant funds, have also been key. Support from companies such as BioHorizons, Unum, and charities like Kids for Life has made a real difference too.
So, the announcement of £80 million in government funding over three years is very welcome. Leaders in the hospice sector are calling it a "significant first step" toward securing the future of vital care services.
Care Minister Stephen Kinnock MP said this new funding plan ends the uncertainty of short-term grants and gives hospices the confidence to keep delivering compassionate, high-quality care to families facing the unimaginable.
It’s also a thank you to all of us – the taxpayers – who make this possible through public spending.
Alastair Stewart: A double high to end my week – thanks to the NHS and our hospices
|GB NEWS
Of course, this comes at a time when the economic outlook isn’t very bright. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has said that the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, may need to find £22 billion to cover a gap in public finances. Taxes may have to rise. Meanwhile, the IMF has downgraded the UK’s growth forecast and says we have the highest inflation in the G7. Unemployment is rising too. The national debt is now close to £3 trillion.
Our middle son, Fred, asked me recently, “Who do we owe all this debt to?” I told him: mostly banks and wealthy individuals who buy government bonds. When we put money into the bank – from wages or selling something – it often earns little or no interest. But the banks lend that money to others, including the Government, at high rates. The UK government now pays over £100 million a day just in interest.
It’s clear we’re living well beyond our means. I have no confidence this Government can fix things.
And things aren’t much better elsewhere. In France, President Macron is going through Prime Ministers like hot dinners. The BBC’s Europe Editor recently said this kind of turmoil is something we expect in Greece or Italy – but not France.
Even with my dementia, I remembered a brilliant moment with the late Sir Alastair Burnet. During a state visit by the Italian President, he introduced the Prime Minister by saying, “That is Signor Andreotti. It is his turn.” A perfect summary of the revolving door of politics!
Here at home, Prime Minister’s Questions recently gave us a moment of levity amid the gloom. The collapse of the Chinese espionage trial led to a lively debate. I rather thought Kemi Badenoch had the better of Sir Keir Starmer that day.
But let’s be honest – this is not a golden age for politics.
Even so, this week reminded me there are still things to be proud of. The care we received at the GP surgery, and the hope offered by new hospice funding – those are reasons to be thankful.