The meeting, held on 21 July 2025, focused on several pressing issues including the long-overdue need for a new palliative care strategy, the importance of recognising the independent hospice sector as a core healthcare partner, and the value of integrating hospice-led services into wider Health and Social Care (HSC) transformation and winter pressure planning.

Speaking after the meeting, Carla Lockhart MP said:

“As our population continues to age, the demand for palliative and end of life care is rising rapidly. Yet in Northern Ireland, there remains a policy and investment gap that must be urgently addressed.

I was pleased to join Marie Curie’s senior leadership team in making the case to the Health Minister for a renewed and properly resourced strategy that places dignity, compassion, and patient-centred care at its heart.

The independent hospice sector delivers care to thousands each year, yet it is still treated as an ancillary service underfunded, under-recognised, and often excluded from key decision-making forums. This must change. The level of care these services provide deserves full recognition and long-term, sustainable funding.

I also raised with the Minister the need for a dedicated clinical lead for palliative care in the Department of Health, something that exists in other jurisdictions. It’s vital that we have strong strategic leadership to guide this essential area of healthcare.

During the meeting, I strongly emphasised the need for a new palliative and end of life care strategy one that not only meets the immediate needs of patients but also prepares for future demand. I urged the Minister to ensure the Department’s baseline scoping exercise is properly resourced and completed in a timely way, and that it includes meaningful involvement from the independent hospice sector at every stage.

I also made clear my belief that hospice care should be recognised as a core service and funded accordingly. The current model, which sees hospices receive roughly 40% of their costs from statutory sources and rely on unpredictable charitable donations for the remainder, is simply unsustainable. I called for serious consideration of increasing statutory support moving toward 100% funding for core palliative care services, as is done in other jurisdictions.

Furthermore, I encouraged the Minister to see the independent hospice sector not as an add-on, but as an equal and vital partner in health transformation. These organisations are already delivering innovative models of care that support patients in the home, prevent hospital admissions, and reduce pressure on our overstretched health system. They should have a full seat at the table in designing the future of care delivery.”

Marie Curie data shows that an estimated one in four people in Northern Ireland miss out on the palliative care they need approximately 4,300 people annually. With the 65+ population projected to rise by 50% by 2047, and those aged 85+ expected to more than double, the need for structured, well-funded end-of-life care has never been more urgent.

Carla Lockhart MP also expressed her ongoing support for Marie Curie’s wider campaigning work, including early access to the state pension for those of working age diagnosed with a terminal illness, and efforts to simplify bereavement processes through a “Tell Us Once” system for Northern Ireland, similar to that which exists in Great Britain.

“I am committed to working closely with Marie Curie, the independent hospice sector, and the Department of Health to ensure this issue remains a priority and that real progress is made for those who rely on these essential services.”

“Whilst Marie Curie has taken a neutral position on the recent debate around the Assisted Dying Bill at Westminster, I took the opportunity to make clear to the Minister my continued opposition to this legislation. I firmly believe that our focus should be on investing in and strengthening the end of life care services we already have, rather than progressing towards a state-funded assisted suicide framework.”