Local MSP, David Stewart, Labour, recently met representatives from Marie Curie to hear about the care they offer locally to people living with a terminal illness and their loved ones.

Marie Curie Highlands and Islands Team with David Stewart MSP

In the Highlands and Islands, around 7,720 people each year need palliative care to relieve symptoms and improve their quality of life. Last year, 801 visits were made by the Marie Curie nursing team in Highland, with 38 visits in Orkney, 709 visits in Argyll and Bute, 2,487 visits in Moray and 21 visits in the Western Isles.

Thanking the Marie Curie Nurses who deliver hands-on care at homes across the Highlands and Islands, David Stewart also congratulated his constituents for their generous donations to the charity and encouraged continued support.

David Stewart  said:

“Marie Curie’s Highland and Islands team visited me at my Inverness office providing an opportunity to talk about the charity’s vital work helping those diagnosed with a terminal illness and those caring for them. Its nurses make it possible for people living with terminal illness to die peacefully at home.”

Marie Curie Nurses helped over 89% of people last year die in their place of choice, which is often at home, across nearly all Highlands and Islands NHS boards. While most people cared for in Highlands and Islands had cancer, the charity supports people with all terminal conditions including heart and circulatory conditions, neurological conditions and frailty.

 Richard Meade, Head of Policy and Public Affairs for Marie Curie Scotland said:

“Thank you to David for highlighting the vital care and support terminally ill people need.

“We want everyone to have physical and emotional care to help them live as well as they can with terminal illness. At the end of life, that should also mean people have as much choice as possible and with Marie Curie support the difference might be that they can stay at home and spend precious time with loved ones.”

Anyone can receive free support through the Marie Curie Information and Support Line on 0800 090 2309 or visit mariecurie.org.uk/help.

If you are interested in getting involved in local fundraising with Marie Curie, please contact Jillian Walker jillian.walker@mariecurie.org.uk or to find out more about Marie Curie’s local Helper service please contact John Cardno john.cardno@mariecurie.org.uk