05/09/2024
We are supporting the annual Palliative Care Week, which is to be held from 8 – 14 September 2024.
Palliative Care Week is facilitated by the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC), with the theme this year being ‘You, Me and Palliative Care’.
Every year, Palliative Care Week provides us with a valuable opportunity to raise awareness of palliative care in order to help those who may need it now and in the future. We know that palliative care is misunderstood, meaning those who could benefit from it and could access palliative care at an earlier stage, often do not.
Bernie McCafferty, Assistant Director for Intermediate Care and Rehabilitation, Western Trust said:
“This year’s theme of ‘You, Me and Palliative Care’ was chosen to remind people about the different ways that palliative care can touch any of our lives.
“A palliative care approach is beneficial for anyone with a non-curable illness, regardless of age or condition and also supports their family, friends and carers both during illness and afterwards. For the very best outcomes palliative care starts as early as possible and is suitable for a number of years, not just the weeks and days at the end of life.
“With this year’s theme in mind, we want to encourage conversations about palliative care among families and communities, to inform those who feel that they may need support now or in the future and make it easier to ask those necessary questions and to feel more reassured and comfortable to seek the information that they need.
“People with palliative care needs are being supported by the whole community beyond formal health and social care services in the Western Trust. A personalised network of support can involve a broad range of professionals from primary care (such as GP’s and District Nurses), family and friends and the wider community, supporting a person whether they are at home, in hospital, in a nursing home or hospice.”
“We want people to have a better understanding of palliative care, so if the need arises for themselves or someone close to them, they will feel able to discuss it with their loved ones and health professionals. We would encourage the members of our community to speak with their GP or any other healthcare professional if you think palliative care could help you or someone you love.”
Emma King, Macmillian Specialist Palliative Care Team Manager with the Western Trust added:
“It’s important to remember that palliative care is available to people at all stages of illness, as well as people of all ages. There’s a common misconception that palliative care is only associated with end of life care and cancer, but really it’s about improving a person’s day to day life from the time of diagnosis. It’s about supporting them to do some of the things that they enjoy; be it hobbies or simply spending time with loved ones.”
Palliative Care can be provided for years, with some people having long periods of being well, moving in and out of palliative care services, depending on their needs at that particular point in time.
“It improves the quality of life of family carers as well as the quality of life of the person with palliative care needs, and can be received in a hospice/specialist palliative care unit, a hospital, nursing home or at the person’s own home, again depending on the needs of the individual.
“For us, Palliative Care Week is about showing people that palliative care is about more than just end of life care, and indeed more than just treating physical symptoms. It’s about caring for the emotional, social and spiritual needs of the person and those important to them, hopefully making things that little bit easier.”
The Trust’s Specialist Palliative Care Teams will be holding information stands for anyone who would like to come and speak to one of our palliative care professionals:
- South West Acute Hospital Main Foyer on Tuesday 10th September 2pm – 4pm.
- Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex on Tuesday 10th September 11.30am – 2pm.
- Altnagelvin Hospital, North Wing on Thursday 12th September from 2pm.