Progress made on provision of hospice unit
FERGUS O’Dowd TD for Louth and East Meath has welcomed news today that significant progress has been made on the provision of a Hospice Unit for the North East.
Deputy O’Dowd said ‘I have been in ongoing discussions with Minister Harris on the long term need for a Hospice Unit in the North East. Minister Harris informed me that on Monday a very positive meeting took place between a number of key stakeholders and the Minister himself. The meeting was very positive and although work remains to be done, there are high expectations that a hospice that will meet the needs of the population of the North East, will open in the first half of 2021.’
‘ The Minister has been very pro-active in this area. A high-level partnership group, including the HSE, will now begin work to develop the plans for the new unit and will report back to the Minister by November.’
O’Dowd added when speakding last Wednesday ‘Just this morning I attended the Irish Hospice Foundation’s Pre Budget Submission, the need for a North East Unit is evident to all. Nationally over 300,000 people will die over the next 10 years, sadly 3,000 of them will be children and over 250,000 will be persons over the age of 65. We need to start having open conversations about death, dying and bereavement.’
‘ The Irish Hospice Foundation delivers vital care for those most affected by death and dying.’
‘I would also like to commend all the immense work carried out by local hospice volunteers who have worked so hard to raise funds for services in the North East, this news will now signal the beginning of a long term hospice service plan for the area.’
‘I would advise anyone who is affected by death or grief to visit www.bereaved.ie and www. childhoodbereavement.ie