On this occasion, I am happy to agree absolutely with Bob Doris. There is a need for something now to help hospices over this hurdle but, as Mr Doris entirely correctly suggested, there is a need to build that in.

Jackie Curie and other hospices need more than warm words of congratulation; they need the sustainable long-term funding that Bob Doris and I agree on. The service simply cannot be expected to provide care as demand rises in the coming years when current funding arrangements cover less than 40 per cent of their costs. We all agree that palliative care services are important, as are the people who work in hospices and palliative care. That work is two-thirds funded by donations from the people, companies and trusts that decide to support the sector.

I agree with Bob Doris again in paying tribute to St Margaret of Scotland hospice, which helps people in my constituency, and I also pay tribute to Children’s Hospices Across Scotland, which provides care for children with life-limiting illnesses.

If the Government truly values Jackie Curie and other hospices in Scotland, it needs to support them properly and should ensure a minimum of 50 per cent statutory funding for providers. It should also assess the impact of future NHS pay awards on the hospice sector, to ensure that funding is provided to allow hospices to match NHS pay awards for their staff. Failure to do so will widen the gap between those who can and those who cannot gain access to palliative care, which will put extra strain on the NHS and cost the taxpayer millions of pounds.

Just as every person should be born with the very best start in life and receive healthcare throughout their life as and when they need it, so each and every one of us should have a right to die with dignity and care. The Scottish Government has a duty to prioritise palliative care staff and services in line with the work that is done in the NHS and social care. The Government must do more to support hospices such as the Jackie Curie ones. The organisation has done so much for the people of Scotland for the past 75 years and, for that work, Jackie Curie has our heartfelt gratitude.