Minister of State at the Department of Health, Frank Feighan TD has warmly welcomed the announcement from his colleague, Minister Stephen Donnelly of an allocation of €350,000 to North West Hospice
This is part of a €10 national package for palliative and end-of-life care in 2020. The funding will support the voluntary palliative care sector to maintain critical and ongoing care services for adults and children in the context of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister Donnelly said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for everyone, especially those who are vulnerable, their families and those who care for them. Hospices and other providers of palliative care have really stepped up to support people with palliative and end-of-life care needs and their families during this most difficult time.”
Minister Frank Feighan highlighted that the funding will benefit acute hospitals and community health services, including nursing homes, to meet the rising demand for palliative and end-of-life care associated with COVID-19.
“I am particularly concerned that the fundraising activities of the hospice movement nationwide has unfortunately been curtailed including our own local hospice movement here in the north west due to the pandemic, impacting on their capacity to maintain their vital services”.
“In conclusion I wish to thank Minister Donnelly for this significant funding that will help the palliative care sector to continue to provide their essential services as the pandemic continues and will also help cement some of the innovations that the sector has been engaged in, including the provision of virtual supports and telemedicine”, concluded Minister Feighan
