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Third sector services on the cheap: not under a Labour Government states minister at Sue Ryder Care fringe

26 September 2008

Minister for the Third Sector, Phil Hope MP, has given assurance to third sector organisations that they would not be forced to deliver services on the cheap under a Labour government.  

Speaking at a packed Sue Ryder Care fringe entitled ‘Liberating lives: Delivering innovative care through the Third Sector’ at the Labour party conference in Manchester, the Minister praised the ‘exemplary services’ provided by the organisation and emphasised his party’s continued support of third sector care providers.

Mr Hope said that Sue Ryder Care, who provide expert end of life and neurological care across the UK for people living with conditions including Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, Stroke, Brain Injury and Dementia, displayed all the characteristics of a successful third sector organisation.

The Minister spoke of the quality and range of care provided as well as Sue Ryder Care’s innovation and success in reaching out to people.

He added that the Labour Government had developed a strong relationship as equal partners with the sector and wanted to continue to work together on an equal footing. The input from those people delivering services on the ground allowed the government to create better policy.

Paul Woodward, Chief Executive at Sue Ryder Care, commented:
“I am delighted that the Minister recognises the value of our services.

“Sue Ryder Care provides services that change peoples lives in the areas where they live, and we are working to shape better care and support for people in the future.

“Currently our ability to develop innovative new services is being curtailed by nationally policy in the form of The Compact not being implemented at local level. We welcome the Ministers current consultation into making the Compact more effective.”

 “The biggest challenge, in partnership with central Government and commissioners, is to make existing policies work so we can all get on with providing better and more innovative services together. “

Read Paul Woodward's speech in full here.

The panel at Sue Ryder Care’s fringe included: Anne Begg MP for Aberdeen South (chair) and David Pink, Chief Executive of the Long Term Conditions Alliance.

Watch this space for the Conservative party's thoughts on the same topic: ‘Liberating lives: Delivering innovative care through the Third Sector’,  following our fringe event to be held at their conference in Birmingham this Wednesday.

Click here for more details about our campaigning and activities at party conferences.

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