18/09/2003

£3.5m lottery boost for health projects

Twenty-five health care projects are set to benefit from £3.5 million lottery funding announced today by NIO Minister, Angela Smith today.

The National Lottery ‘good cause’ distributor, the New Opportunities Fund, said the funding would increase and extend palliative care and support for patients suffering from cancer and other incurable illnesses.

These projects include services to control pain and other distressing symptoms and provide support for patients and families coping with the emotional upset and practical problems relating to the condition.

Today’s announcement is part of the Fund’s 'new opportunities for health programme' which aims to overcome health inequalities in the most disadvantaged communities in Northern Ireland.

Commenting on the funding, Angela Smith said: "Palliative care is a very worthy cause and this special programme will help to provide the best possible quality of life for people with life-threatening conditions and enable their families to have the much-needed support they require.

"This £3.6 million of Lottery money is a welcome addition to the Government’s funding in this area of health care."

These latest awards also coincide with the Fund’s fifth birthday and mean that more than £89 million has been committed to health, education and environment projects across Northern Ireland.

(MB)

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