Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

338. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to provide respite services to children with complex needs and life-limiting conditions on a cross-Border basis through greater collaboration with service providers in Northern Ireland; if his attention has been drawn to the benefits which such co-operation could yield for service users both North and South; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9375/17]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Palliative Care For Children with Life-Limiting Conditions in Ireland - A National Policy, was published by my Department in December 2009.

Based on the recommendations of the 2009 policy, a programme of care for children with life-limiting conditions (the Children's Palliative Care Programme) was established including the appointment of a Paediatric Consultant with a Special Interest in Palliative Care, based in Crumlin. As well as supporting other paediatricians, the Consultant also provides clinical support and advice to maternity hospitals and neonatologists. The Programme also included the appointment of eight Children’s Outreach Nurses whose role is to ensure that children being cared for at home by their families have access to co-ordinated and supportive services. The nurses liaise closely with statutory and voluntary service providers including local GPs, Public Health Nurses, Disability Services, the Jack and Jill Foundation and LauraLynn. A further two Children's Outreach Nurses are being recruited under the Programme, one in Letterkenny and the other to the Children's Hospital Group.

The Letterkenny post, which will be offered to the successful candidate this week, will be entitled Clinical Nurse Co-ordinator for Children with Life-limiting Conditions. This nurse will work closely with the existing Paediatric Liaison Nurse based in Donegal and will provide a service to children and families in Donegal as well as acting as an informed resource for colleagues in Sligo.

A review of the Children's Palliative Care Programme, published in late 2016, confirmed that the Programme is adding significant value to service provision for children with life-limiting conditions and their families. The review makes twenty recommendations, one of which is the need to provide adequate and needs-based respite services. The HSE is currently considering how both in-home and in-patient respite services might be made more available for children in Donegal and surrounding areas. All possibilities will be considered, including through cross-border co-operation or collaboration with relevant voluntary groups.