BU research into the impact that respite care at children’s hospices has on parental relationships was raised during Prime Minister’s Questions.
The research is being done by BU PhD student Ashley Mitchell in conjunction with Dorset-based children’s hospice Julia’s House and looks at how different types of respite care – and how regularly and frequently they are accessed – impact on the relationship of the parents.
The work was raised by Mid-Dorset and North Poole MP Annette Brooke during Prime Minister’s Questions, while asking about funding into short breaks for carers.
She said: “Julia’s House, a wonderful children’s hospice in my constituency, is currently carrying out research with Bournemouth University into the impact of short breaks on family relationships.
“Will the Prime Minister give higher priority to the funding of short breaks as an invest to save measure?”
Prime Minister David Cameron, whose severely disabled son Ivan had hospice care prior to his death in 2009, responded: “I absolutely agree with my honorable friend about the issue.
“Anyone bringing up a severely disabled child knows that when you find one of those hospices – and I’ll never forget finding Helen House in Oxford, which was actually the first children’s hospice anywhere in the country – it is a complete lifesaver for families and carries out brilliant, brilliant work.
“That’s why we have committed over £800 million for local authorities to invest in short breaks for disabled children and I’m sure that this research from Bournemouth University will help to inform our work in the future.”
This is the second time in three months that the work being done at BU has been raised in Prime Minister’s Questions.
Following the success of blockbuster Gravity at the 2014 Oscars, the work of more than 50 BU graduates on the film was highlighted by Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood and praised by the Prime Minister.
Watch the Prime Minister’s Questions for 25 June (BU’s hospices research is raised at 30 minutes and 41 seconds)