Campaigns for a new law to provide support for families of sick children launched thanks to Herts parents
Parents of long-term sick children in hospital are to be consulted on proposals which could see them receive financial support.
Last updated 20th Jan 2024
The Government has committed to establishing a forum of parents, charities, and healthcare professionals to "understand their concerns, listen to ideas and suggestions" on how parents can be supported while their children spend long periods of time in hospital.
Thanks to a campaign from Hertfordshire parents Ceri and Frances Menaj-Davis, there's hope that 'Hugh's Law' may be passed in Parliament.
'Hugh's Law'- named after six-year-old Hugh Menai-Davis who died from cancer of the abdomen- would ensure parents visiting their long-term sick children will have mental, physical and financial support.
Ceri and Frances- Hugh's parents- commuted daily to see their son as he was being treated at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.
Ceri, Hugh's Father, said: "We know parents that are weighing up the decision whether to sell their clothes, or their house, to make sure they can travel into hospital."
It comes as a result of a private member's Bill put forward by Conservative former minister Sir Oliver Heald- MP for North East Hertfordshire, of whom Ceri and Frances are constituents.
Work and pensions minister Jo Churchill said she wanted to "help families going through these difficult times".
On Friday, Ms Churchill told the Commons: "I stand here as somebody who has had cancer more than once, you don't choose it, it chooses you.
"As Ceri and Frances know, your world is turned upside down, your days are driven by medical appointments, a need to have questions answered, juggling life's issues, alongside wanting to do anything to try and protect your child, and make the pain go away.