FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

To arrange a phone interview or sound bite with AIIHPC CEO, Karen Charnley, please see contact details below

Press Release 

8 September 2024

Palliative Care Week

 Almost 7 in 10 adults feel fearful when they hear the term palliative care

Almost 9 in 10 think about care at end of life when they hear the term

Almost 7 in 10 (69%) adults in Northern Ireland feel fearful when they hear the term palliative care. The finding is from a new survey of the public’s perceptions of palliative care commissioned by the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC) to highlight Palliative Care Week, which takes place on 8-14 September 2024.

The survey of 500 people in Northern Ireland carried out in July 2024, also highlighted a number of the positive perceptions that exist about palliative care:

  • Nearly 9 in 10 (89%) adults think palliative care also supports the family and carers of someone with a life-limiting condition.
  • 7 in 10 (75%) adults think palliative care can benefit people over long periods and not just end of life.
  • Over 7 in 10 (75%) adults think palliative care will help them to make decisions about their future care.
  • Almost 9 in 10 (86%) adults feel reassured that palliative care could help them or someone close to them
  • Half (50%) adults feel hopeful and reassured when they hear the term palliative care

The theme of this year’s Palliative Care Week is ‘You, Me and Palliative Care’ 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 emphasise the message that palliative care affects us all, and the importance of community in the provision of palliative care services and supports.

With this theme in mind, a first of its kind all-island event will take place today in Newry. The Compassionate Communities in Palliative and End of Life Care Conference is a free event open to the public which aims to promote a compassionate response from communities to support people with palliative care needs including at the end of life and bereavement supports for families and friends.

AIIHPC CEO, Karen Charnley, said:

“We see from our research that there is still a lot of apprehension around palliative care. It is understandable as thinking about potentially needing to avail of palliative care support for ourselves or those closest to us is difficult, but during Palliative Care Week, we are encouraging individuals and communities to learn more about how palliative care supports quality of life of people with life-limiting conditions by meeting their physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs. We want to promote a greater understanding of the supports available in communities across the island of Ireland as people being informed about palliative care will make it easier for them to access the services on offer and make decisions about their own care and that of those close to them.”

Minister for Health, Mike Nesbitt said:

“Being diagnosed with a life-limiting condition is not something any of us want to hear; either for ourselves or for a friend or family member. By talking about palliative care, we can challenge the misconceptions around what it is and when it is appropriate.  Those conversations are crucial to helping people feel confident in asking healthcare providers for help and finding out what support is available in their community.

“I commend the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care for this year’s Palliative Care Week, which will see so many events and opportunities across communities.”

Director of Nursing and Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals, Public Health Agency, Heather Reid said,

“Communities play an important role in supporting people with a life-limiting diagnosis. Palliative Care Week provides us with an excellent opportunity to increase awareness, understanding and discussion around palliative and end of life care. With increased knowledge we can all play our part to support those in our community facing challenging times, and help to maximise their quality of life until the end. Together we can all make a difference.”

This Palliative Care Week, people are encouraged to learn more about palliative care and its benefits by visiting thepalliativehub.com for more information.

Follow the campaign on Twitter @AIIHPC #pallcareweek.

-ENDS-

For further information or to request an interview, contact Robyn Keleghan robyn@communicationsclinic.ie-0858001275.

Photo captions:

  1. Launching Palliative Care Week 2024 – ‘You, Me and Palliative Care’ – are Paula Pinto, Programme Manager AIIHPC, Ann Marie O’Neill and Eoin O’Neill who receive services from NI Hospice, Mike Nesbitt, Minister of Health Northern Ireland and Karen Charnley, Karen Charnley, CEO of the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC)
  2. Launching Palliative Care Week 2024 – ‘You, Me and Palliative Care’ – are Paula Pinto, Programme Manager AIIHPC, Mike Nesbitt, Minister of Health Northern Ireland and Karen Charnley, Karen Charnley, CEO of the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC)

Video message from Minister for Health, Mike Nesbitt

Notes to Editors:

  • *iReach survey of over 500 people in Northern Ireland conducted in July 2024
  • 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.
  • Karen Charnley, AIIHPC CEO, is available for interviews

Additional Information on Palliative Care Requirements:

  • 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 Northern Ireland, estimated 45% increase in people dying with palliative care needs between 2018 and 2040.
  • It is estimated anywhere between 100-150K people in NI are currently living with progressive and non-curative conditions (in their last years of life).
  • The need for palliative care is increasing across the island of Ireland. The number of people dying in Northern Ireland over 25 years from 2016 to 2041 is projected to increase by 32 per cent

About All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care:

The All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC) is a collaborative of hospices, health and social care organisations 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 27 partners (16 Republic of Ireland / 11 Northern Ireland) are:

Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Bumbleance
Dublin City University
Dublin University Trinity College
Galway Hospice Foundation
Irish Cancer Society
Irish Hospice Foundation
Lauralynn Children’s Hospice
Marie Curie
Marymount University Hospital & Hospice
Milford Care Centre
National University of Ireland Galway
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
Ulster University
University College Cork
University College Dublin
Western Health and Social Care Trust

AIIHPC receives funding from a range of sources including the HSE, Department of Health (RoI), Public Health Agency, Health Research Board and the Health and Social Care R&D Division, Public Health Agency.