On Friday morning I met with Marie Curie national management. They assured me that they are fundamentally committed to providing palliative care services in Liverpool now and in the future. They do so every day.

They told me they are considering all options when it comes to the Woolton hospice and that includes not reopening the inpatient services. I am now concerned about the future of inpatient care there. They told me that no time scale has been set for a decision to be made. They say they are particularly mindful of supporting those who find themselves most excluded from help at the end of life who tend to be the poorest people.

They are in discussions with other providers and with the NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board who have the legal obligation to provide palliative care in Liverpool.

I have invited Marie Curie to meet with all Liverpool MPs to discuss this further.