Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 July 2020
266. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated additional funding provided to ensure universal palliative care since the adoption of Sláintecare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17860/20]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, Sláintecare is the ten-year all-party Oireachtas policy, which was adopted by Government in 2017. It sets out the vision to deliver a healthcare system for the population of Ireland. The plan aims to deliver a universal health service that offers the right care, in the right place, at the right time, by the right team with a priority focus on keeping people well, developing primary and community services within a national policy context, and ensuring we have the right hospital capacity for the needs of our citizens. The Report recommended an additional investment of €10 million per annum into palliative care services over the first five years of the Report's lifespan.
A total of €100.6 million has been allocated in the National Service Plan 2020 for palliative care services this year. This represents an increase of more than 30% on provision for palliative care in 2017 when the Sláintecare Report was adopted by Government. The additional funding this year includes provision for 49 specialist palliative care inpatient beds in new hospices opening in Mayo, Waterford and Wicklow, and 6 new beds in an existing hospice unit in Kildare.
The Programme for Government identifies the north east (Cavan and Drogheda) and midlands as regions where additional hospices are required. The HSE is closely working with local hospice groups to progress these developments. Once these planned hospices are open, there will be an inpatient unit in every region of the country, providing a hub for the existing specialist palliative community homecare teams in every HSE area and supporting the discharge of patients from acute hospitals.
Since the publication of the Sláintecare report, a second paediatric consultant with a specialist interest in palliative care has been appointed. These consultants provide clinical support to parents and children in three children's hospitals in Dublin, while also providing support to paediatric units around the country. The Programme for Government commits to an increase in resources for the HSE's Children's Palliative Care Programme.
