Forum calls for strategy to deal with end of life

A forum of experts yesterday called on the Government to produce a national strategy to deal with legal, administrative, and economic matters relating to end of life.

About 29,000 people die in Ireland each year, including 350 children.

More than 300 people yesterday attended a conference in Dublin Castle organised by the Forum on End of Life in Ireland, which is an initiative of the Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF).

The forum’s national council, which is chaired by Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness, has called on the Government to prepare a national end of life strategy for Ireland and to “fulfil its pledge to bring in legislation to strengthen the patient’s voice in healthcare decisions”.

Speaking at the conference, Mrs Justice McGuinness said the forum would be working to secure a commitment from the Government on these matters.

“We believe the time has come for the State to look at all aspects of end of life in Ireland and to plan for the future delivery of care and services.

“The strategy should be wider than healthcare and reach into other relevant areas of life – economic, legal and administrative affairs.

“Death is a taboo issue. The State should take the lead in starting a national dialogue on dying, death and bereavement. The forum is also committed to promoting more engagement and debate with the public on end-of-Iife issues. We know from our own consultation that people are very keen to have their say and make their preferences known, particularly around end of life.

“The Government made a commitment last March to introduce a provision for advance directives in the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Bill at committee stage. It is vital that they fulfil that pledge.”

IHF chief executive Sharon Foley called on the State to develop specialist palliative care services in line with existing policy.

“It is unacceptable that inequity remains throughout the country with some people able to access a full range of services and others – with equal need – denied this access. There is also a need for more supports for acute hospitals to deliver better end-of-life care and we need to put in place the necessary supports to help more people to fulfil their wish to die at home.”