I just wanted my son to

Mum's call for review into children's palliative care funding after family ordeal

- EMMA BUTTERWORTH

A MUM has urged the Prime Minister to review funding for children's palliative care after the loss of her son - saying that many families feel 'abandoned and overwhelmed.

Clare Buchanan, who lost her son Oliver in 2023 at the age of 11, has written to Sir Keir Starmer after she battled to get round-the-clock care at home for her son in his final days.

This comes as a leading children's charity has warned that families of dying children face a "postcode lottery" of care, with "inconsistent" help from region to region.

Clare, from Greater Manchester, said: "All we wanted for Oliver was for him to be at home for as long as possible, where we shared so many special memories.

"I wanted Oliver to be able to look out over the fields and hills and see the sun rise and set.

"It was where we wanted him to die, surrounded by the love of his family, the green fields, the sound of nature and just peace. But to get to that point cost a lot.

"I honestly thought that when your child is dying, you would have 24/7 care at home.

"But it turns out that just isn't the case."