Trinity Hospice and Brian House – a beacon of compassion on the Fylde Coast

One of the clearest signs of a caring society is how we look after people at their most vulnerable. That’s something I’ve always believed, and it was powerfully brought home to me again during my recent visit to Trinity Hospice and Brian House in Blackpool.

Trinity Hospice is marking its 40th year of service this year – four decades of care not just within its own walls, but also in people’s homes, in hospitals and across our community. Far from being a place of sadness, the hospice is full of warmth, dignity and life. Everything they do is centred around helping people live well right to the end, and supporting families every step of the way.

With CEO David Houston at Brian House

The importance of that care was brought home for me at Brian House – the children’s hospice run by Trinity. It’s a uniquely local service, supporting children and families across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre. Around 80 local children with life-limiting conditions are cared for at any one time – not just medically, but emotionally and practically too. It’s about making sure every child can live as fully as possible, however short their life may be.

During my visit, I was privileged to meet patients, families and staff – including Milly and Shoni, two remarkable nurses whose compassion truly moved me. Milly told me how it was the complex cases she dealt with as a ward nurse that first drew her to children’s hospice work. Shoni, whose sister passed away at Brian House, said she knew from that moment she wanted to come back and care for others. It takes a special kind of person to walk with a family through the hardest days of their lives.

One of the most emotional parts of the visit was stepping into The Butterfly Suite, a peaceful, private space where families can spend precious time with their child after they’ve passed away. The room can be filled with photos, favourite toys and keepsakes – whatever brings comfort. Families can stay on site and are supported for as long as they need, including through bereavement counselling. It’s impossible to imagine how much this place must means to those who’ve needed it.

I have first-hand experience of family accessing hospice care and in this visit it really hit home just how important the care that they provide is.

But after years of brutal cuts under the previous government, hospices like Trinity are facing an unsustainable future. Despite supporting 42% of people who died on the Fylde Coast last yea –often the most complex end-of-life cases – Trinity only receives 25% of its funding from the government. For Brian House, that figure drops to just 11% – one of the lowest in the country for a children’s hospice.

Costs are rising fast and there’s nothing left to trim. Trinity is now dipping into its reserves just to stay afloat. They’ve even had to reduce the number of operational beds from 18 to 14. And this is happening in a hospice that relies on a team of 600 volunteers and a huge amount of community support. CEO David Houston told me, if something doesn’t change soon, hospices across the country are at serious risk.

Trinity is receiving more than £200,000 as part of a £100 million national investment in hospices – the biggest boost in a generation.

In March, I called on the Government in Parliament to address the soaring energy bills that are crippling charities like Trinity. Over 250 charities operate in Blackpool alone, and many are being forced to choose between helping people and paying the bills. I have requested a meeting to discuss this further – because these organisations can’t keep absorbing these costs.

I’m proud that the new Labour government is taking action. Trinity is receiving more than £200,000 as part of a £100 million national investment in hospices – the biggest boost in a generation. This will help modernise buildings, buy vital equipment and make energy improvements. It’s a lifeline, but it’s not the finish line. Long-term, sustainable funding must follow.

Following my visit I have formally submitted a question to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, asking what steps his department is taking to ensure the long-term sustainability of palliative and end of life care services and I eagerly await a response.

This is about making sure that when families in our community face their darkest moments, they have someone to turn to – someone who can offer care, comfort and dignity.

Following my visit Trinity’s chief executive, David Houston, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Chris to Trinity Hospice and show him first hand the difference we are making to local people and their loved ones. 

“We spoke about how Trinity’s care is not limited to our hospice, but extends to all corners of the Fylde Coast, supporting people with life-limiting illness in hospital, in nursing homes and in their own homes.

“But importantly, we spoke about how crucial our care is in the wider health and social care system, relieving some of the extensive pressures felt in our hospitals as we lead the way in local palliative and end-of-life care.  

“We welcome Chris’s support to be our voice in parliament and shine a light on local hospice care and the funding it deserves.”

We need a national vision for hospice care that reflects just how essential these services are. One where hospices are properly funded, their staff are supported and no family has to go without care. I’ll keep pushing the government to make sure that happens.