Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1241. To ask the Minister for Health if a hospital-style bed will be secured for a person (details supplied). [15617/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Palliative care, especially at end of life, plays an important role in the care of people with life-limiting or terminal illnesses. More than ever, attention is paid to not just physical pain, but to psychosocial and spiritual issues too. Palliative care also offers emotional support to both the patient and their families, addressing the fears they may have and giving comfort when necessary.

It is the Government’s desire that all people will be provided with the type of palliative care services that they need, regardless of their diagnosis, their age or where they die.

While many people want, and are able, to die at home with support from their general practitioner and community specialist palliative care teams, it is accepted that others require support from an inpatient palliative care unit, or hospice. In north Dublin, St. Francis Hospice provides inpatient services at Blanchardstown and Raheny. Referral to the hospice is made by the GP, hospital doctor or consultant of the person with a life-limiting condition.

For those approaching death while living at home, the Irish Cancer Society and Irish Hospice Foundation operate the Night Nursing Service, an end-of-life nursing care programme. This can be used by people with a cancer or a non-malignant diagnosis. The Irish Cancer Society funds care for people with a cancer diagnosis, while the Irish Hospice Foundation funds care for those with a non-cancer diagnosis. The Service can be accessed through referral from the Specialist Community Palliative Care Team, Public Health Nurse, GP or hospital-based Specialist Palliative Care Team.

With regard to the Deputy's specific question, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to directly reply to the Deputy.