Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 February 2014
61. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive will be providing paediatric care packages for children with life-limiting conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6933/14]
View answerIn 2010, the Department of Health published "Palliative Care for Children with Life-limiting Conditions in Ireland - A National Policy". The report contains 31 recommendations which are being implemented under the aegis of the National Development Committee which is a multi-stakeholder representative group, chaired by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The national policy provides the framework for the development of services for children with life-limiting conditions and their families. The policy places significant emphasis on supporting families and health care professionals to provide care for children in their own homes.
A programme of care for children with life-limiting conditions is being jointly funded by the HSE and the Irish Hospice Foundation. The programme includes the appointment in 2011 of the first 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 has also provided 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's Children's Hospice etc. An evaluation of the outreach nursing component of the Children's Palliative Care Programme is planned to take place this year. This will provide information on how the programme is working to-date and provide pointers for future development. The study will be undertaken on behalf of the Irish Hospice Foundation, the HSE and the Department of Health.
Another aspect of the children's programme is the provision of structured education programmes for all health care staff who care for children with life-limiting conditions. This is being delivered in partnership with Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin. These programmes will help ensure that children and their families will have the necessary care and support provided to them, regardless of the location of that care.
In the HSE's National Service Plan for 2014, the key priority in relation to children is to develop and integrate community based paediatric palliative care services. In 2012, HSE regions spent approximately €8.58 million on home nursing for children with life-limiting conditions. However, it is widely acknowledged that because of how the financial system is set up, this figure did not capture all relevant expenditure and that the total spend was significantly higher. It is also acknowledged that children with life-limiting conditions, and particularly children with palliative care needs, are prioritised within HSE regions. Every effort is made to care for these children to the maximum extent possible, including home care for the children and their families.
In addition to this, the Palliative Care National Development Committee has commenced working on the development of a model for the provision of Hospice at Home care. This is being carried out in partnership with current voluntary providers such as the Irish Hospice Foundation, LauraLynn's Children's Hospice and the Jack & Jill Foundation.
In 2013, the budget for Palliative Care Services was €72m. The budget for 2014 is almost €73m.
