Support for Marie Curie

That the Parliament believes that Marie Curie plays a pivotal role in supporting, guiding and caring for people with terminal illness and their families; acknowledges that, in 2019-20, the charity has provided support to 8,534 people with a terminal illness across Scotland and helped 94% of its patients to die in their place of choice, which it considers is of vital importance to terminally-ill people; understands that, in West Scotland, 75% of the 17,290 people who die have a palliative care need; agrees with the findings of a recent report by Marie Curie, in cooperation with the University of Glasgow, that many hospitals do not sufficiently identify patients who could benefit from palliative care; appreciates that Marie Curie's services are on the frontline throughout the current pandemic, delivering physical and emotional care in its hospices and in patients’ homes, as well as through community nursing services, volunteer-led helper services, and its national helpline; understands that the COVID-19 pandemic has diminished its income from its many fundraising activities; believes that the charity should be supported in its valuable work, and calls on the Scottish Government to ensure that Marie Curie receives the funding assistance it requires.