Review of access to palliative care services - Organisations/Health professionals

Overview

The Assembly’s Health Committee is holding an inquiry into palliative care services in Northern Ireland.  The Committee wants to:

• Develop its understanding of the current provision of palliative and hospice care;
• Find out more about the challenges in the provision of, and access to, this type of care; and
• Learn more about excellence in palliative and hospice care by identifying examples of best practice.

The Committee wants to hear from the organisations and staff that provide this important care.  The Committee also wants to hear from individual and families who have direct experience and are willing to share the insight they have gained from their experience. Patients and families will complete a separate survey.

Why your views matter

The Committee will use the outcome of its inquiry to advise the Health Minister on the future of palliative and hospice care provision.

The objectives of the inquiry are listed below:

Objectives

• Evaluate Current Provision: Assess the current state of palliative care services, including the range of services available, their geographical distribution, and the quality of care provided.
• Funding Mechanisms: Examine the funding structures for hospices, including government contributions, charitable donations, and other sources of funding.
• Accessibility and Equity: Investigate the accessibility of palliative care services across different regions and demographic groups in Northern Ireland.
• Coordination and Integration: Explore the level of coordination between different healthcare providers and the integration of palliative care with other health services.
• Challenges and Barriers: Identify the main challenges and barriers faced by hospices and palliative care providers, including financial, operational and regulatory issues.
• Future Needs: Assess future needs and demands for palliative care services in light of demographic changes and emerging healthcare trends.
• Support for patients and families: Assess what level of support is currently provided, looking at the journey of a patient and family through end-of-life care.