Health Minister seeks views on improving Palliative and End of Life Care

Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, today launched a public consultation on the Palliative and End of Life Care Strategy for adults in Northern Ireland.

Views are being sought on the draft Strategy, which is designed to ensure that individuals with palliative and end of life care needs, their families and carers are provided with high quality, consistent and integrated care across all care settings and conditions.

Launching the consultation the Minister said: “Most of us now live longer than ever before; however more of us as we age, have to live with the consequences of chronic conditions. In this context, good palliative and end of life care is increasingly an essential part of health and social care.

“I am committed to ensuring that people with palliative and end of life care needs have access to the highest quality care, and in particular that they have real and viable options and choice about how and where their care is provided.

“This five year strategy provides a vision and direction for service planning and delivery, and is designed to ensure that palliative and end of life care is firmly focused on the individual, their family and carers.

“I would urge everyone to consider the draft Strategy and use this consultation process to make their views known and influence how palliative and end of life care services in Northern Ireland are provided in the future.”

The consultation period will run until Friday 19 February 2010. The consultation is available on the DHSSPS website.

Notes to editors:

1. Palliative care is the active, holistic care of patients with advanced, progressive illness. Management of pain and other symptoms and provision of psychological, social and spiritual support is paramount. The goal of palliative care is to provide the best quality of life for patients and their families. Many aspects of palliative care are also applicable earlier in the course of the illness in conjunction with other treatments.

2. The Palliative and End of Life Care Strategy will provide a strategic framework for Health and Social Care commissioners and providers, as well as the independent and voluntary and community sectors, to design and deliver high quality and patient centred palliative and end of life care services for patients, their families and carers.

3. The draft Strategy and consultation questionnaire can be accessed via the DHSSPS website.

Copies can also be obtained by contacting:

E-mail:

Written: Primary Care Development Unit
DHSSPS
Room D3
Castle Buildings
Stormont Estate
Belfast, BT4 3SG

Telephone: 028 9052 0248

Text phone: 028 9052 7668

Fax: 028 9076 5624

4. Media enquiries should be referred to DHSSPS’ press office on 02890 520074. Out of office hours, please contact the duty press officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.