Committee for Health - Access to Palliative Care Services

The Committee for Health is undertaking an inquiry into accessing palliative care services in Northern Ireland. As part of the inquiry Members of the Commitee for Health would like to gather the views of those patients and their families on their experience of accessing palliative care across Northern Ireland.

What is palliative care?

Palliative care is an approach aimed at improving the quality of life for patients, both adults and children, as well as their families who are dealing with life-threatening illnesses. It works to prevent and relieve suffering through the early identification, proper assessment, and treatment of pain and other issues, whether physical, emotional, psychosocial, or spiritual.

Palliative care goes beyond managing physical symptoms; it takes a holistic team-based approach to support both patients and their caregivers. This includes addressing practical concerns and offering bereavement counselling. It provides a support system to help patients live as fully and actively as possible until the end of life.

Palliative care is recognized as part of the human right to health and should be delivered through person-centred, integrated health services that respect the unique needs and preferences of each individual at the time(s) when such care and support is needed.

The Committee asked for submissions via surveys which have now closed.  The Committee is now considering the responses received.

Members are also undertaking a number of visits to hospice sites across Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland to hear from staff and families, to assist their consideration of issues.

The appendices of the inquiry Report can be found here.

Should you require further information please contact palliativecare.inquiry@niassembly.gov.uk