TWO THIRDS OF people who lost a loved-one said that the person had not been told by a medical professional that they were dying.

That’s according to a new report by the Irish Hospice Foundation, which gathered data on death and bereavement.

It warns that Ireland may face a crisis in end-of-life care and support for the bereaved, should under-resourcing continue.

Currently around 35,000 people die in Ireland each year. This is expected to grow to 49,000 by 2046.

By the same year, the number of people aged over 65 is projected to have doubled, surpassing 1.5 million.

The Irish Hospice Foundation says lack of communication with a dying person about the reality of their situation means they sometimes don’t get a chance to make appropriate arrangements, and family members are not fully aware that their loved one’s death is imminent.

“Conversations about death should be encouraged to reduce the stigma and fear of talking about and preparing for death amongst the public and by medical professionals,” the foundation said.

It’s also recommending that the government establish a Register of Advance Healthcare Directives, so that preferences are clearly documented and easily accessible to healthcare professionals when decisions need to be made at the end of someone’s life.

The foundation has called for greater resources to be put intto end-of-life care, including the establishment of hospices for the Midlands and the North East.

“The provision of general palliative care needs to be strengthened across all settings, particularly primary care,” it said.

“The National Adult Palliative Care Policy must be resourced and monitored in order to adequately address the increased demands being placed on our palliative care services.”

The Irish Hospice Foundation’s CEO, Paula O’Reilly, said everyone in Ireland should have “the opportunity to experience a good death”.