Meeting could mean more funds for Paul Sartori hospice

4:56pm Wednesday 19th November 2008

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The Welsh Assembly is considering boosting the funding of the Paul Sartori Foundation following a massive show of public support for the charity, the Western Telegraph can exclusively reveal.

Up to £6,000 of extra transitional funding is being considered by health minister Edwina Hart for the hospice charity, it is understood.

The move follows a meeting between the minister, Baroness Ilora Finlay and Paul Sartori representatives last week.

The Western Telegraph understands that a ‘miscalculation’ in the original funding was discussed, with a recommendation that £6,000 be added to the settlement.

That would give the charity £22,150 transitional funding.

A Welsh Assembly spokesman refused to comment on a miscalculation or the amount of potential funding discussed, but did say: “Following the meeting, Baroness Finlay, who devised the funding formula, submitted advice to the minister on revising their allocation.

“Mrs Hart is currently considering that advice and the organisation will be informed when she has made her decision.”

Paul Sartori Foundation hospice director Lorna Johns said she was hopeful a solution could be found.

She added: “There appeared to be a positive move in the right direction with the foundation representatives elaborating upon the nature of the service provided by the charity.”

During the meeting Paul Sartori Foundation chairman of the board of trustees, Roger Jones presented a box of petitions with more than 7,000 signatures.

They included the hundreds of Western Telegraph readers’ coupons urging a funding rethink.

“It was clear in the meeting that the minister had read and received numerous correspondence from the concerned of the county,” said Mrs Johns.

“We are so pleased to have the support of the community and the local Assembly members, as it has helped us to put forward a stronger case for more secure funding.”

MP Stephen Crabb said: “I’m pleased that Baroness Finlay has seemed to take on board the concerns and that this is a positive movement to securing a better and more sustainable allocation of funding for this vitally important charity.”

Meetings between the charity, Baroness Finlay and others will continue, with a discussion planned at Velindre Hospital on December 1st.

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