James Cooper

Tomorrow's Budget must deliver for children with serious illness and their families. Read a blog from our Associate Director of External Affairs & Membership, @James_Cooper_, outlining the investment needed in children's palliative care: bit.ly/4zjdImg #Budget2026

Thanks to @rhistorerwrites for so powerfully highlighting how families are being left to fill the gaps amid a growing postcode lottery in children's palliative care. Read now: newstatesman.com/spotlight/h… #HealthPolicy #NHSEngland #MSF #PalliativeCare

📍 At the #LabourConference this week, we're meeting policymakers, partners and sector colleagues, sharing evidence, and championing the needs of children with serious illnesses and their families. Together we can help ensure families get the support they need.

Today's government announcement on new bereavement leave rights for parents of young adults recognises what we've been saying for years: grief doesn't stop at arbitrary age boundaries. Read our statement on this hugely welcome step forward: bit.ly/4hrVYxk

NEWS: Too many families of children with serious illness may be missing out on the care that helps them spend precious time together at home, our new report finds. Read more: togetherforshortlives.org.uk… 1/3

We recently gave evidence to the Health Bill committee, with @James_Cooper_ setting out how we would like the UK Government to improve the way in which specialist children’s palliative care for children with the most complex needs is planned and funded by the NHS. #NHSReform

Today we launch Making Every Moment Count, our strategy for 2026 to 2028. It's focused on ensuring children with serious illness and their families can access the right care, in the right place, at the right time. bit.ly/427XH3v

Thank you to Sir Julian Lewis MP, @ChelFulhamBen & @StuartAndrew for standing up for seriously ill children in yesterday’s palliative care debate. Despite some promising developments, the gov must now commit to action on workforce & funding while strengthening accountability.

This year we’ve been there for more families and professionals than at any point in our history. Read more in our latest Impact Report: bit.ly/47ZStJj

The @CommonsHealthExpert Panel has published its evaluation of palliative care in England – and the findings are stark. The report reveals that inconsistent commissioning across local NHS bodies is driving a postcode lottery in children’s palliative care. bit.ly/3Mqazgy

Over 250 families benefitted from a trailblazing three-year project funded by @KentownWizard in Lancashire & South Cumbria that brought our co-ordinators together with @RainbowTrustCC's Family Support Workers & @LSCICB NHS nurses. Read more: togetherforshortlives.org.uk…

Thank you @SKinnock and amazing parent Laura whose family uses @jessiemaytrust for speaking at the APPG for Children Who Need #palliativecare today. We look forward to new DHSC palliative care plan in the coming days and to continuing to work closely with @DHSCgovuk

While the £80m for children's hospices over three years is hugely welcome, further commitments are still needed to tackle the postcode lottery in children and families' access to 24/7 end of life care at home. Thanks to Sir Julian Lewis MP for raising these vital points.

While £80m over 3 years is hugely welcome, further commitments are still needed to close the £310m funding gap and address inconsistencies in local NHS and council funding. The government’s all-age palliative and end of life care delivery plan is a vital opportunity to act.

The @NAOorguk report on adult hospices is deeply concerning. But children's hospices face significant funding challenges too. Only 1/3 of their costs are covered by the state compared to 40% for the hospice sector as a whole.

🚨 Help make the 10-Year Health Plan a reality for seriously ill children On 18 November, the APPG for Children Who Need Palliative Care is holding a drop-in event and roundtable meeting. 👉 We need your help to get MPs there. Invite your MP here: togetherforshortlives.org.uk…

Today, we were pleased to attend a roundtable discussion at #labourpartyconference2025 exploring the current gaps in access to palliative care, and how we can work together to close them.

The new @CommonsEd report highlights important concerns about disabled children's social care, shining a light on the challenges facing many children and their families. We welcome the report's focus and its clear calls for action. committees.parliament.uk/com…

There are many opportunities to improve children’s palliative care from the UK government’s new 10 Year Health Plan for England, but also many questions. Read our reaction here 👉🏼 bit.ly/44zQD0h