Andrew Mitchell MP has visited St Giles Hospice on Lindridge Road to hear how their new partnership with Sutton’s Cancer Support Centre is working and to discuss the area’s palliative care provision with St Giles’ Chief Executive Peter Holliday and other Hospice Trustees. In February of this year St Giles Hospice and Sutton Coldfield’s Cancer Support Centre embarked on a new joint partnership that saw the two leading local charities delivering their highly valued palliative care services under the same roof. Mr Mitchell heard how the Cancer Support Centre, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2010, moved from its previous location at Station House, in Midland Drive to share St Giles Hospice’s premises at Lindridge Road. The Cancer Support Centre now has full use of the facilities to offer its extensive range of support and therapeutic services for people from Sutton Coldfield and the surrounding area who have been diagnosed with cancer. St Giles also continues to provide all of its existing services, including specialist treatment and support groups for people with cancer and other serious illnesses such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and motor neurone disease, as well as its Lymphoedema Clinic, family services and bereavement support. Andrew Mitchell discussed the cost of running the facility which is now divided equally between both charities, and therefore means St Giles has more funds to spend on patient care. Additionally, the Cancer Support Centre will no longer have to pay rent as the building is provided by Sutton Coldfield Municipal Charities, so more money will be available for providing their clients with therapies. During the meeting Sutton’s MP also discussed with the Trustees the implications of the World Food Code ‘Codex Alimentarius’ for Sutton’s palliative care providers. Hospice Trustees were particularly concerned that the ruling threatens to severely restrict the availability of holistic and herbal treatment for cancer sufferers. Mr Mitchell listened to the concerns of hospice staff and has written to the Health Secretary, who has assured him that The Codex Guidelines for Vitamin and Mineral Food Supplements do not deal with natural herbs and remedies. Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell said, “This new partnership between two of Sutton’s leading palliative care charities will provide enhanced and incredibly important support for people battling cancer and other serious illnesses in the Sutton area. I look forward to working together with Peter and the other Trustees to support the great work of this facility in the future.” Photo: (L-R) Paul Williams, Marie Jones, Andrew Mitchell MP, Pat Brighton Trustee and therapist for the Cancer Support Centre and Peter Holliday Chief Executive of St Giles Hospice.