Vol. 419 No. 6
64 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for Health if he accepts the need for greater support and funding for the hospice movement nationally; and if he will outline his policy towards the provision of adequate hospice care in all the health board areas in the country.
I am aware of the valuable contribution and effort made by voluntary groups under the aegis of the hospice movement, in the provision of hospice care and home care for the terminally ill. In many instances multidisciplinary care is provided for such patients in co-operation with local hospital and community care services. It is essential that these voluntary groups work in conjunction with their local health board, so that services for the terminally ill can be provided in a planned and co-ordinated fashion. The allocation of funds to local voluntary groups is a matter for the chief executive officer of each health board to determine in the context of the other competing demands for resources in the health services.
