Public urged to find out more about palliative care during awareness week

Ahead of the week, the AIIHPC conducted a survey, which found that more than half of adults in Northern Ireland (52%) have only a basic or minimal understanding of what palliative care involves.

The survey found that 34% of people were not aware that palliative care may be suitable for a number of years, while 20% were not aware that the approach supports family, friends and carers during an illness and afterwards.

Over half (52%) of people in Northern Ireland identified pain management as the most important part of a good experience of palliative care.

Head of the AIIHPC Karen Charnley said the survey showed the need for greater public understanding of the holistic approach of palliative care and when it is appropriate.

“We are encouraging a greater understanding of how palliative care encompasses the full human needs of each person – physical, social, emotional and spiritual – to enable the best possible quality of life.

“Palliative care puts the person at the centre of every decision, helping them to plan for the future and make choices. Palliative care may be beneficial for weeks, months and years and responds appropriately to the differing needs of people as these needs change.

“We are urging the public to be informed, to discuss, and to plan for all of the needs which a child, adult or older person has following diagnosis of an illness that will shorten or limit their life.”

This year the campaign slogan is ‘Enabling living’ to highlight the positive impact palliative care has on the quality of life of people living with a serious and progressive condition.

Health minister Michelle O’Neill explained: “The focus this year on Enabling living highlights the positive role that an holistic approach to palliative care plays in supporting people living with progressive, advanced or life-limiting conditions, and those important to them, to have improved quality of life, with care that is planned around them and with them.

“I very much welcome and commend the work that is being taken forward across the island of Ireland to raise awareness of palliative care.”

A number of information events are taking place during the week. Details of these, and a range of resources, are available on The Palliative Hub website.