Four in ten adults in the Republic of Ireland prefer not to think or talk about palliative care, according to new research
Four in ten adults in the Republic of Ireland prefer not to think or talk about palliative care, according to new research.
Half believe that if a person is receiving palliative care, they are in the last days and weeks of their lives
Four in ten adults in the Republic of Ireland prefer not to think or talk about palliative care. The finding is from a new survey of the public’s perceptions of palliative care commissioned by All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC) to highlight Palliative Care Week, which takes place on 10 – 16 September 2023.
The survey of 1,000 people in the Republic of Ireland carried out in July 2023, also highlighted some of the positive perceptions that exist about palliative care:
- Seven in ten adults believe that palliative care may be suitable for several years
- Nearly eight in ten adults agree that palliative care supports family, friends and carers during and after an illness
- Seven in ten adults think that palliative care should be considered as early as possible when diagnosed with a life limiting illness
- Eight in ten adults think palliative care is beneficial for anyone with a life limiting illness
- Nearly eight in ten adults agree that palliative care cares for all aspects of the person – physical, social, emotional and spiritual
- Eight in ten adults think palliative care is suitable for people of any age.
This year is the 10th annual Palliative Care Week. To mark this milestone, AIIHPC has explored how people’s perceptions of palliative care have changed throughout the years by including questions from the 2016 and 2018 campaigns in the 2023 survey. The 2023 results show that:
- Adults are less open now to talking about palliative care than they were in 2016. Today one in two adults prefer not to talk about palliative care, compared to one in four in 2015. This highlights the importance of continuing to encourage people to be open to discussing palliative and end of life care with their loved ones.
- Today, half of the adults surveyed still believe that if a person is receiving palliative care they are in the last days or weeks of life. This is a slight improvement in people’s knowledge back in 2018, when over half (56%) believed this.
The theme of this year’s Palliative Care Week is ‘Palliative Care: Living for today, planning for tomorrow.’ This was chosen following collaboration with AIIHPC’s members and the wider palliative care sector. It reflects the commitment of AIIHPC and its member organisations to improving the quality of life of people with life-limiting illnesses and their families. The comparative data above shows the relevance of this theme and the importance of the campaign.
AIIHPC Director, Karen Charnley, said:
“It’s encouraging to see that our research has demonstrated a better understanding of the benefits of palliative care. During Palliative Care Week, we are encouraging individuals and communities to have important conversations about plans for the future with their loved ones and friends, including how they would like to be cared for if and when the need arises.
As well as this, we can see from the data that misconceptions still exist around palliative care, meaning some people who could benefit are less willing to seek it, potentially missing out on improved quality of life. This Palliative Care Week, we want to encourage people to learn more about palliative care and its benefits by visiting thepalliativehub.com for more information.”
Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly said:
“The importance of palliative care services for people with a range of life-limiting conditions is now increasingly recognised. It is not only for end of life but from the time of diagnosis of a life-limiting condition onwards. Palliative Care is an approach which aims to improve the quality of life of patients and their families who are facing the problems associated with life-limiting illness. This care can be provided at any stage following diagnosis. Palliative care is for people of all ages to help them live as well as possible.
“We are proud of our palliative care services in Ireland, and I would like to acknowledge the valuable role that Palliative Care Week plays in raising our awareness and understanding of palliative care and thank the All-Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC) and other key stakeholders in the sector for organising and promoting this important week.
“The range of services has grown significantly over the last 20 years. This has been due to strong collaboration with the voluntary sector and the HSE. Access to universal palliative care is a Programme for Government commitment and a key Sláintecare principle. We aim to ensure equitable access to palliative care services in every region of the country; and to accommodate the increased demand for services as our population grows and ages into the future.”
Visit www.thepalliativehub.com to find out more. Follow the campaign on Twitter @AIIHPC #pallcareweek10
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For further information or to request an interview contact:
Notes to Editors:
- *iReach survey of over 1,000 people in the Republic of Ireland conducted in July 2023
- Several individuals in receipt of palliative care are willing to share their experience with the media.
- Palliative care is delivered by a wide range health and social professionals including doctors, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, psychologists, dieticians, chaplains and more.
Additional Information on Palliative Care Requirements:
- Palliative care is a crucial part of integrated, people-centred health services. Relieving serious health-related suffering, be it physical, psychological, social, or spiritual, is a global ethical responsibility (World Health Organization 2022)
- Evidence suggests that between 75% and 80% of people who die have conditions that would benefit from some palliative care services, with the potential to support their quality of life for weeks, months and years.
- In Republic of Ireland, estimated 68 – 84% increase in people dying with a palliative care need between 2016 and 2046
- In 2022, within the Republic of Ireland,
- Number of patients who received specialist palliative care services in 2022 – 13,600+ (community) and 3700+ (inpatient)
- Number of CNS visits to patients in 2022 – 85+k
- Number of patients who received specialist inpatient palliative care services in 2022 – 3700+
- Number of Family units receiving SPC Bereavement services in 2022 – 2200+
About All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care:
All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC) is a collaborative of hospices, health and social care organisations, charities and universities on the island of Ireland. AIIHPC advances education, research and practice to improve the palliative care experience of people with life-limiting conditions and their families.
AIIHPC works with a group of visionary partners who recognise the value of working together to achieve a better, richer experience of palliative care for people with life-limiting conditions. The organisation’s 28 partners (17 Republic of Ireland / 11 Northern Ireland) are:
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Bumbleance
Dublin City University
Dublin University Trinity College
Foyle Hospice
Galway Hospice Foundation
Irish Hospice Foundation
Irish Cancer Society
LauraLynn Children’s Hospice
Macmillan Cancer Support
Marie Curie
Marymount University Hospital & Hospice
Milford Care Centre
Northern Health and Social Care Trust
Northern Ireland Hospice
North West Hospice
Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services
Public Health Agency
Queen’s University Belfast
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Southern Health and Social Care Trust
South East Technological University
St. Francis Hospice
University of Galway
Ulster University
University College Dublin
Western Health and Social Care Trust
AIIHPC receives funding from a range of sources including member organisations, the HSE, Public Health Agency, Health Research Board, and Health and Social Care R&D Division, Public Health Agency.