Latest News

Back to News Summary

Health Minister seeks views on improving Palliative and End of Life Care

Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, today launched a public consultation on the Palliative and End of Life Care Strategy for adults in Northern Ireland.
Views are being sought on the draft Strategy, which is designed to ensure that individuals with palliative and end of life care needs, their families and carers are provided with high quality, consistent and integrated care across all care settings and conditions.

Launching the consultation the Minister said: “Most of us now live longer than ever before; however more of us as we age, have to live with the consequences of chronic conditions. In this context, good palliative and end of life care is increasingly an essential part of health and social care.

“I am committed to ensuring that people with palliative and end of life care needs have access to the highest quality care, and in particular that they have real and viable options and choice about how and where their care is provided.

“This five year strategy provides a vision and direction for service planning and delivery, and is designed to ensure that palliative and end of life care is firmly focused on the individual, their family and carers.

“I would urge everyone to consider the draft Strategy and use this consultation process to make their views known and influence how palliative and end of life care services in Northern Ireland are provided in the future.”

The consultation period will run until Friday 19 February 2010. The consultation is available on the DHSSPS website. http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/consultations/current_consultations.htm

Back to News Summary