Hospice Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2015

Tuesday, 23 June 2015

Questions (441)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

441. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will consider setting up a perinatal hospice service for babies who may not live for long after birth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24791/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Providing appropriate care sensitively for children who may not live for long after birth is particularly important given that parents and families only have a short precious amount of time with their baby.

The Palliative Care For Children with Life-Limiting Conditions in Ireland - A National Policy, was published by my Department in March 2010. The policy places significant emphasis on caring for children in their own homes rather than recommending the development of a children's hospice. With regard to perinatal services, the evidence available to us suggests that the best location of care is within the maternity or paediatric setting.

The HSE is working to ensure that quality palliative care is available to all those who need it. In that regard, the HSE’s Acute Hospitals Division, in partnership with the Clinical Palliative Care Programme, the Primary Care Division and the Irish Hospice Foundation, has recently commenced a programme of work to support general, maternity and paediatric hospitals to develop comprehensive plans for palliative, end-of-life and bereavement care. Each maternity unit will identify how it can best support the palliative care needs of parents and their babies. It is considered that this approach is preferable to establishing a very limited number of separate services.

A programme of care for children with life-limiting conditions has been 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. Eight Children’s Outreach Nurses have also been appointed, and a further two nurses will be appointed this year.