AN MP called on the government to end the crisis in staffing shortages in the care sector after Bradford’s Marie Curie Hospice was forced to “temporarily pause” admissions.

The hospice, located on Maudsley Street, say the shortage is affecting its ability to provide specialist nursing care all day for its patients.

Officials said they were urgently looking to recruit more staff to solve the problem.

Bradford South MP Judith Cummins (Lab) said the government need to do more to support the health and care sector.

Ms Cummins said: “This is heart-breaking for people who need the specialist end of life care that Marie Curie provides and it is beyond distressing for their loved ones.

“Investing in the health and care staff of the future is money well spent. The government must step in.”

Shipley MP Philip Davies (Con) added: “This is extremely worrying, and is why it is utterly ridiculous for people who work in the care sector to be automatically sacked if they haven’t had a covid vaccine – something I voted against.”

Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end of life charity.

It provides frontline nursing and hospice care, a free support line and a wealth of information and support on all aspects of dying, death and bereavement.

The Bradford Hospice is one of nine that offer the reassurance of specialist care and support, in a friendly, welcoming environment, for people living with a life-limiting illness and their loved ones.

Dr Sarah Holmes, Medical Director at the hospice, said: “Like many other local health and care providers, we are experiencing staffing shortages, and this is impacting our ability to deliver specialist nursing care around the clock in our hospice.

“While we recruit more staff, we have temporarily paused admissions to our inpatient unit.

“We are continuing to support people requiring out-patient care in the hospice and in the local community.”

Upon hearing the news, Telegraph & Argus readers were shocked and expressed their support for the hospice via our Facebook page.

Julie Beaumont said: “This is heartbreaking.”

Pauline Smith said she would step in for free, adding: “They should get volunteers I would gladly work there.”

“All staff are fab here,” said Dawn Johnston.

“I spent many hours in there when my family member was in. Great place with very high standards. I wish them luck.”

Daniel Ashley Britton spoke for many when he wrote: “Sad to think of people missing the services they provide in there time of need."