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Care for Terminally Ill Falls Far Short of Targets—Need for Increased... : 22nd Jun 08
“There is strong evidence that this investment in palliative care will actually save money when compared to current expenditure in end-of-life care"
The numbers of beds and staff in Ireland available to treat terminally ill patients still falls far short of what was recommended in a report which became government policy seven years ago.
The revelation comes in a fresh review of resources in the sector published yesterday by the Irish Hospice Foundation. The review, which measured the position at the end of last year, indicates there are still 610 fewer staff and 237 fewer beds in the hospice/palliative care sector than was recommended in the Report of the National Advisory Committee on Palliative Care back in 2001.
However, the foundation, in its latest report, states that some progress has been made since it last reviewed the situation in 2004.
Eugene Murray, chief executive of the hospice foundation, said the palliative care budget of €75.5 million would need to double to meet staff and bed needs. “There is strong evidence that this investment will actually save money when compared to current expenditure in end-of-life care,” he said.
The HSE is preparing a five-year plan for the development of hospice/palliative care services. The Irish Times.
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