Edinburgh hospice visit for MSPs
Edinburgh Pentlands MSP Gordon Macdonald and South Scotland MSP Aileen McLeod recently visited the Marie Curie Hospice, Edinburgh.
The pair were met by Hospice Manager Christine Kirkcaldy and during a tour of the building spoke to Bill Whiland who cared for his wife with the help of Marie Curie. The hospice provides inpatient, day care and out patient care as well as the provision of specialist care in patients’ homes. In 2012-13 there were 410 admissions and 2,836 visits to patients at home.
Richard Meade, head of policy and public affairs, Scotland said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Aileen and Gordon to the hospice to see for themselves the care that we provide to terminally ill patients and their families.”
Aileen McLeod said: “I was delighted to have the opportunity to visit the Edinburgh Marie Curie Hospice and I am very grateful to Hospice Manager Christine Kirkcaldy for showing us round and particularly to one of Marie Curie’s volunteers Bill Whiland who explained for us how important Marie Curie services were in providing care for his late wife. Marie Curie Hospices provide a very important service in caring for people as they reach the end of their lives, and in doing so are making an important contribution to the development of excellence in palliative care in Scotland.”
Gordon Macdonald MSP said: “On my visit to the Marie Curie Hospice, Edinburgh, I saw for myself how the staff and volunteers help to alleviate the anxieties that families face. It’s important to know that when your family needs support that there is an organisation locally that can help. I’m full of admiration for the people who provide this vital support.”
