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A NEW SIX-BED palliative care unit has been announced by the Susie Long Hospice Fund for St. Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny.
The fund was set up in October 2007 after 42-year-old mother of two Susie Long died from bowel cancer.
Susie raised awareness about the public waiting list she experienced as she didn’t have private health insurance.
She wrote an e-mail to Liveline and spoke to Prime Time from hospital in Dublin where she outlined her belief in the need for a properly-resourced public health system.
After her death friends and family set up the fund with the aim of providing a 12-bed hospice in Kilkenny.
Her family said:
Today is an emotional day for us, as the promise of a hospice for Kilkenny begins to turn into a reality. We are delighted that progress is now being made in bringing this vital service to the people in our community.
“Susie had to travel to a hospice in Dublin and we were lucky to able to stay with family there to be with her in her final days.
They also added that “hospice care allowed Susie to emerge from pain and uncertainty, to become her full self again and allowed her to speak out on behalf of those who were not receiving the care and treatment they deserved.
We look forward to the opening of this interim 6-bed unit palliative care unit shortly and believe that pressure must now be maintained to build the permanent 12-bed hospice as soon as possible.
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Palliative care is a much needed service and makes a huge difference to families.
A wonderful tribute to an obviously courageous lady that will bring huge comfort to others and their families.
Having spent time with my Dad in Palliative care, I know the importance of this service to patients and their families at an awful time in their lives. Susie was a brave lady whose work to highlight the need for this service will mean that many people will benefit from her efforts.
Much, much needed. Good chance I’ll need it one day myself, or the hospice if it’s ever built.
Well done.
The whole country remembers Susie Long. I recall her interview and it broke my heart. Never realising that a few short months later my dear brother would be diagnosed with terminal cancer a very young man. The palliative care for my brother John was terrific and they could not have done more for him and all of us. Still i cant help but wish that Susie had better care especially at the early stage. But she has left a massive legacy and her family should be so proud. God bless her. Xx
Well done to all those who have made this possible.
If she had got the necessary treatment when she needed it she would be alive today. Nothing has changed.
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