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LauraLynn House, Ireland's first children's hospice which was opened last year. Niall Carson/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Hospices will need 'goodwill of their local communities to keep going' - IHF

The Irish Hospice Foundation has raised concerns about the cuts imposed to the palliative care budget by the HSE’s National Service Plan.

THE IRISH HOSPICE Foundation (IHF) has said that its services may have to be reduced unless there is an increase in donations following cuts to the palliative care budget.

The IHF says that under the Health Service Executive’s National Service Plan announced last week, the budget for palliative care is being cut from €81 million in 2011 to €78 million for the coming year – a cut of 3.7 per cent.

The organisation says that will mean it will have to rely on increased donations to maintain services. ”This cut is happening at a time when the numbers seeking hospice support are increasing.

“Our primary concern is with patients and their families who are the most vulnerable patients in our health service,” IHF CEO Sharon Foley said. ”It is inevitable that hospices will have to appeal to the goodwill of their local communities to keep going.”

Foley said that the cuts will mean that “goodwill is now more vital than ever” and noted that her organisation is funding the newly developed palliative care programme for children with €2.5 million over the next five years.

The HSE’S National Service Plan has committed to developing a specialist palliative care outpatient community nursing at St. Francis’ Hospice in Blanchardstown in west Dublin.

Health Minister James Reilly admitted that frontline services would be hit by a cut of €750 million in the health budget for this year but said that the government and the HSE had been “been able to mitigate” the impact of the cuts “in a major way”.

Health minister says frontline services will be hit by budget cuts >

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9 Comments
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    Mute JustDieter
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    Jan 19th 2012, 11:13 AM

    And goodwill of their communities they will receive. There is a humanity and goodness in Irish people like I never see anywhere else in the world, very unique. These qualities are more important now than ever, we all have to depart this world some day, we all need a comforting hand as we pass. Regardless of the traitors running your country, who are not Irish and do not deserve to be called Irish, they can not take away your right to die with dignity. The workers in hospices provide wonderful care, please always remember them and the goodness in us all

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    Mute Stephen Mc Partlin
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    Jan 19th 2012, 12:32 PM

    Very well put Dieter. While the fatcat retired bankers and speculators and the ‘country wrecker’ politicians like ahern and Cowen enjoy their retirements on massive pensions( they should all be serving time by the way) the wonderful work being done and the care being given in our hospices will and will always remain. I know from a family member who passed away a few yrs back what dignity and care these places provide to people in their dying days . Funding should never be cut to these places .

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    Mute Aine Thornton
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    Jan 19th 2012, 9:11 PM

    What a thoughtful, insightful comment to make! I agree now more than ever peoples sense of community spirit and care for each other is vital!!

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    Mute Janet Coyle
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    Jan 19th 2012, 1:27 PM

    Absolute disgrace bloody politicians should b made give out of their own pockets what’s it coming 2 when Terminal Children can’t b looked after with the best care this makes my blood boil

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    Mute Rodger O Waters
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    Jan 19th 2012, 3:15 PM

    It really is the pits, only hope that folk can help with donations as best they can,

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    Mute Eileen Gabbett
    Favourite Eileen Gabbett
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    Jan 19th 2012, 10:11 PM

    Disgraceful ! Pick on the most vulnerable among us.
    Do these people think these are gods that they can
    decide life and death. How dare they !!! How bloody dare they!

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    Mute Eileen Gabbett
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    Jan 19th 2012, 1:23 PM

    We all have to die ! The Hospice is so very important to us all. To allow people die PAIN FREE and with dignity. We all fear dying in pain and the hospice lessens those fears .
    For goodness sake this is rapidly becoming a nightmare .Our vulnernable and weakest members of our society are being targeted … Shame Shame Shame…. I will never vote FF, FG, Labour again.
    If any one has witnessed a loved one become ill , in pain and dependent they will not allow this happen . The Hospice will get support from their local community,because the generosity of people will insure the continuation of such an important service.;.;

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    Mute Bernadette Dunne
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    Jan 19th 2012, 9:44 PM

    here here Eileen

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    Mute Rodger O Waters
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    Jan 19th 2012, 3:14 PM

    Literally target dying children and as painful as those words are to write it shows the depths that we have been dragged to by s succession of contemptible puppets,if leaving the € can give options that as better than this then leave.

    5
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