‘Patients need support wherever they die’ - Trust chief

He made the comments to mark World Hospice and Palliative Care Day. The Western Trust marked the day with a ‘Final Journey’s’ Conference for healthcare professionals.

Western Trust Chairman, Mr Gerard Guckian, said: “This conference comes at an opportune time to reflect the excellent progress that has been made within the Western Trust area and inspire all to continue to work together to deliver on the challenging agenda ahead for patients with palliative and end of life care needs.”

He continued: “We in the Western Trust believe patients should be supported wherever they die – at home, in hospital, in a care home or a hospice.

“We want to ensure that patients have access to information to help them make decisions about their care and treatment so they have an element of control at the end of their life.

“At this event we heard the patients’ story through family members and healthcare professionals. We were delighted and privileged to have those family members present; after all, it is high quality patient and client care that is the focus for all of us.”

The Trust’s Executive Director of Nursing/Director of Primary Care and Older Peoples Services Mr Alan Corry Finn commented: “Health and social care services must adapt to meet the increasing needs of our ageing population. The nature of healthcare is changing.

“The majority of people cared for by our services are older and are increasingly frail, often living with multiple long-term conditions.

“It is essential that those involved in delivering care are engaging in events such as this conference which can only help them to meet the needs of older patients and to promote continuous improvement in the standards of care.”

Mr Corry Finn, said: “Death is something that is inevitable, and it is important that we have thought about the end stage of our lives, talked about it with our loved ones, expressing our wishes and planned for it.

“Palliative Care is about providing the essential physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual support that patient’s, families and carers need. It is important that patients and families know what care and support is available and how to access it.”

Over 200 healthcare professionals from both the Western Trust and the community and voluntary sector, including GP’s attended the conference.

The conference was also attended by two family members representing their loved ones who sadly passed away.

One family member kindly shared the service provided to her mother in her last few weeks of life.

This poignant reflection highlighted the challenges experienced by a family but also emphasised the excellent support from their District Nurse and GP.

New estimates from the World Health Organisation, ahead of World Hospice and Palliative Care Day show that around 24 million adults require palliative care at the end of life each year.

Sixty-six per cent of these are over 60 years old. The theme of this year’s World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2012 is ‘living to the end - palliative care for an ageing population’ and locally the Western Trust estimates that its population of 65 years and over is set to increase by 34 per cent by 2017.