£240,000 for Bolton cancer patient care

5:01pm Wednesday 23rd July 2008

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HEALTH bosses in Bolton give more money for the care of people with terminal cancer than almost anywhere else in the country.

Only five areas — Norfolk, Ealing, Carmarthenshire, Great Yarmouth and Lanarkshire — invest more cash for the provision of Marie Curie nurses.

A total of £240,000 is being pumped into providing nurses from the charity, which cares for terminally ill cancer patients in their own homes.

Tim Evans, chief executive of Bolton Primary Care Trust, which is providing the funding, said: “One of our promises has been improving end-of-life care and that isn’t just about investing in our services, as often outside agencies can do a really good job. Marie Curie is a great example of where we can use other agencies to improve the services on offer for people who are going to die.”

The charity provides free nursing care to cancer patients and those with other terminal illnesses.

The cash will be used to pay for an additional 15,000 hours of nursing care in Bolton.

Last year, nurses provided 5,000 hours of care but this has now increased to 20,000.

Jemma Halman, area fundraising manager, said: “We’re thrilled Bolton PCT are investing in the local Marie Curie nursing service, as we believe everyone should have the choice to die at home and be given the support and care they need.

“We do still rely heavily on the support of the community to fund this special service and we need to raise more money than ever to ensure we can sustain the increase.”

Marie Curie nurses care for around 50 per cent of all cancer patients nationally who wish to die at home.

“Staff also provide emotional and practical help for the families of cancer patients and all their services are free.

For more information about becoming a fundraiser, call 0161 2552809.