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AREAS WITH LIMITED access to hospice care have more cancer deaths in hospitals.
According to a report by the Irish Hospice Foundation, around 2,500 patients each year are denied access to the hospice care they need because of a lack of hospice services nationwide. This is in spite of a national policy since 2001 that promised to provide one hospice bed for every 10,000 people.
Going by current population figures, there should be 450 hospice beds in the country. Today, there are only 155 hospice beds available.
Limerick, Clare, North Tipperary, Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim are the only regions which are compliant with the national strategy. While, counties Louth, Meath, Cavan, Monaghan, Laois, Offaly, Westmeath, Longford, Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Wicklow, Mayo and Kerry have no hospice inpatient units.
The ‘ Access to Specialist Palliative Care Services and Place of Death in Ireland’ report tells us there is a significant reduction in the number of deaths in acute hospitals in the areas where hospice beds are available.
Of all deaths in hospitals, the percentage of people dying from cancer is generally lower in regions where spending on palliative care is in line with national policy.
Sharon Foley, CEO of the IHF said it isn’t fair that “in some areas of the country, patients at their most vulnerable are being denied access to services simply because of where they live. Not having access to inpatient hospice beds has a critical impact on whether a patient dies in an acute hospital or not”.
According to Dr Kathy McLoughlin, who was part of the report, hospice services can provide real savings to the healthcare system and meet the needs of patients.
“They also show improved length of life, better symptom control and patient and carer experience,” McLoughlin added.
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R.I.P
So tragic. RIP.
What an amazing live band, hope they continue. Condolences to family and friends
R.I.P.
I’ll have a Mass said for him and will pray for him too. God bless you and may you rest in The Lord Taidgh Burke.
RIP Tadhg. Sincere condolences to his family and friends
So sad …. Poor guy Rest in peace
So not fair, rip .
Why would anyone hit the dislike button on comments sympathising
@john was thinking the very same,I’m starting to believe it’s the journal doing all this red thumbing to stir things up . Because for the life of me I can’t understand why ppl would dislike a comment like r.i.p ?
Terry, this is absolutely not the case.
Hi Aoife Ii know it’s not and I do apologise ,I was just annoyed with the fact that there are ppl red thumbing someone writing r.i.p disgusting individuals !!!
Because they are a crowd of red-thumbing sh”ts, especially whenever religion is mentioned.
Rip Taidgh. You will be missed. Sleep well
Patrick I am asking u as a close friend of Taidhg’s, for the second time to remove ur comments and stop commenting before his Mother see’s them. Taidhg was a back seat passenger in a tragic accident. He had no intention of leaving us. I’m asking u compassionately to remove your comments and stop hurting us even more.
Pa Curran, question, is there several commentators on here with the same christian name, if so I apologise on my behalf if any offence has been committed .
Terribly sad. R.I.P.
Its an unfortunate consequence of technology that people can post comments on a public forum for the world to see, they are completely removed, both emotionally and physically from the situation, they are often commenting on something they know nothing about. Its fine to express ones point of view or opinions for some topics but for others it can be down right heartless & disrespectful. This Man was someones Son, someones Brother, someones friend. When commenting on posts like these put yourself in the families situation before you post.
Very sad. May he rest in peace.
Rip so young very sad, thoughts with his family and friends
Not necessarily so William. RIP Taidgh .
Not necessarily so ,RIP Tadgh.
Very sad, heaven has gained a bass player, , :)
Niamh, terribly sorry for your loss.
Well done on having the strength to come on here and respond in such a dignified manner to such ignorance. I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been seeing the awful things people will say, for what reason remains unknown.
When a young person dies in such tragic circumstances who was a friend, a son, a brother and clearly by your comment a much loved and respected individual it isn’t too much to ask that it might provoke a little more sympathy and mindfulness in people rather than being being so distasteful, rash and disrespectful.
Well said again.
His poor family . Sincere condolences. His mam sounds like a true angel donating his organs and thinking of others in this hard time.
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