Brendan O’Hara MP Praises Local Support For Terminally Ill

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Brendan O’Hara MP praises local support for terminally ill people.img_1604Brendan O’Hara MP praised the support available for Argyll and Bute residents living with a terminal illness and their families as he met with representatives from Marie Curie, the terminal illness charity.

At a meeting with Marie Curie staff on 30 September 2016 Brendan discussed the work of Marie Curie across his constituency of Argyll and Bute and the challenges facing rural communities. Local Marie Curie Nurses provide hands-on care and vital emotional support across the region enabling families to be cared for and to die at home, where that is their choice and appropriate for them.

Brendan also heard about the plans to introduce a remote and rural Marie Curie Helper Service in Argyll and Bute, which will work alongside existing voluntary organisations in the area to provide one-to-one companionship, emotional and practical support, and information from trained volunteers.

In 2015/16 in NHS Highland area, 303 patients were supported in 2,301 visits by Marie Curie. This includes 964 visits in Argyll and Bute. Across Scotland in 2015/16 the charity provided care and support for more than 8,000 people living with a terminal illness through its hospices in Glasgow and Edinburgh and Nursing Service.

Brendan O’Hara MP said: “Living in more rural parts of this constituency can be a challenge, albeit worthwhile in so many ways, but it doesn’t make you any less likely to need the support of organisations like Marie Curie. I am immensely grateful to the staff and volunteers for stepping in to help our more remote neighbours in Argyll and Bute. Their services can be transformative and mean so much to those coming to the end of their lives and as we all hope to do so, peacefully with the support they need at home.”

Niall Kieran, Marie Curie Service Design Manager said: “We were delighted to speak to Brendan about the services we offer in Argyll and Bute. He was very supportive of the care and support we provide to local people through both our nursing service and volunteer Helper Service. If you are interested in working with, or volunteering for, Marie Curie or would like to discuss how we can support you in Argyll and Bute, please contact Niall Kieran on 0141 557 7536 or at Niall.Kieran@mariecurie.org.uk.”
If you or someone you know is living with a terminal illness and looking for support call the Marie Curie Support Line on 0800 090 2309. If you would like care and support from a Marie Curie Nurse contact your district nurse or GP.
For more information please contact: Gemma Smith Marie Curie Senior Media and PR Officer on 0131 561 3964 gemma.smith@mariecurie.org.uk

Marie Curie – care and support through terminal illness – Marie Curie is the UK’s leading charity for people with any terminal illness. The charity helps people living with a terminal illness and their families make the most of the time they have together by delivering expert hands-on care, emotional support, research and guidance. Marie Curie employs more than 2,700 nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals, and with its nine hospices around the UK, is the largest provider of hospice beds outside the NHS.
For more information visit: www.mariecurie.org.uk
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Marie Curie Support Line 0800 090 2309
If you’ve got questions about terminal illness or simply want someone to talk to, call the Marie Curie Support Line for free confidential support and practical information on all aspects of terminal illness.