THE cabinet secretary for NHS health and social care recently visited a children's hospice in Balloch.

Neil Gray MSP went to Robin House to meet with families and children to hear about the support they receive from Children's Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).

Mr Gray toured the hospice with senior staff, including CHAS chief executive Rami Okasha, chief operating officer Jane Smith, medical director Dr Annabel Howell, and newly-in-post director of nursing and family support, Jennifer Rodgers.

They discussed CHAS's strategic plan to reach more families and a sustainable funding model for children's hospices.

(Image: CHAS)

Mr Gray also joined a crafts session with children, parents, and caregivers, while listening to their concerns about the pressures faced by families of children with life-shortening conditions.

He said: “It has been a deeply moving experience to visit Robin House again and witness the incredible care and support that CHAS provides to children with life-shortening conditions and their families.

“The dedication of the staff here is truly inspiring, and it is clear that they make an immeasurable difference in the lives of those they care for.

“The Scottish Government remains fully committed to supporting children's palliative care and ensuring that every child and family who needs this vital service can access it.

“We are grateful for the work CHAS does, and I look forward to ongoing collaboration to support their mission of reaching every family in need.”

Mr Okasha said: "We were delighted to welcome the cabinet secretary to Robin House so he could see first-hand the unwavering care our teams at CHAS provide to the children and families we support.

"We offer medical, nursing, social work and emotional assistance to children with life-shortening conditions and their families right across Scotland but we could not do what we do without the support of the Scottish Government.

“At a time when the numbers of children with palliative care needs to going up, we very much looking forward to working constructively with the Cabinet Secretary and his colleagues on ensuring that every child and family that needs our specialist support is able to access it.”