In a speech in Parliament, Paulette has raised concerns about hospice funding given the important care and service they provide. Hospices are not just the final refuge but a place where life is lived with dignity and comfort during illness.

Paulette highlights the financial struggles faced by hospices, including the John Taylor hospice in Erdington, which provides invaluable support to the local community. Despite caring for many individuals daily, the hospice grapples with soaring costs and a significant fundraising deficit, risking a reduction in services.

This scenario is not isolated to Erdington or Birmingham; it is a national concern, with an estimated 100,000 individuals missing out on palliative care annually. Hospices are pivotal in easing NHS pressures, yet they cannot reset their budgets annually, leading to continued deficits and jeopardising essential community care.

As a nurse and member of the Health and Social Care Committee, Paulette emphasised the importance of respite care and the need for a National Care Service and proper NHS investment. With a call for a Labour Government, the plea for support for hospices resonated as a reminder of their indispensable role in providing care and dignity at the end of life.