Hugh Grant Calls For Terminal Care Funds

Hugh Grant accused ministers of breaking a key commitment to the terminally ill as he called for extra funds for their care on Tuesday.

The actor claimed Labour had pledged to double funding for palliative care in their 2005 manifesto but said the money “hasn’t materialised”.

Grant, whose mother was cared for by Marie Curie cancer nurses during the final stages of pancreatic cancer, told Radio Four’s Today programme: “She was allowed to die peacefully surrounded by her family after receiving the very best attention from those helping us to support her. Everyone should have that choice.”

He is supporting Marie Curie’s latest fundraising drive.

Ivan Lewis, the care services minister, said: “Ultimately, it is for the local NHS to commission the right services for their local populations, but I have written to all strategic health authorities urging them to establish ‘flagship’ programmes, in partnership with Marie Curie.”