Department of Health announces that Limerick hospice will soon be fully state-funded
MILFORD CARE Centre will soon be fully state-funded, with Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly announcing the redesignation of four voluntary hospice providers across the country.
The move, which will take effect in February, will provide a “sustainable model of care” for adult specialist palliative care services in Ireland and ensure the “provision of these core services into the future.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Health confirmed the news, with three other hospices in Dublin and Galway also taking part in the transition.
The Government will spend a total of €18.6 million to achieve this.
Minister Donnelly said he was delighted to announce the news.
“It means that all adult hospices in our country will now be fully state-funded. This is a significant step towards our goal of providing universal access to palliative care,” he added.
Currently, approximately 70% of inpatient and 74% of community adult specialist palliative care services are provided by voluntary hospices.
“The voluntary hospice sector has worked tirelessly down through the years, in partnership with local communities, to expand the network of hospice services around the country,” Minister Donnelly said.
“The redesignation will provide financial and staffing sustainability to ensure that these providers of adult specialist palliative care services can continue their vital work,” he added.
This move will mean that fundraising by Milford Care Centre will no longer be required to cover payroll or other operational costs such as electricity and heating.
“I acknowledge the essential adult specialist palliative care services provided by these four organisations and the benefits the care they provide give to people with life-limiting illnesses and their families,” Minister Donnelly said.
“I commend the staff in these four hospices for the vital services they provide and for striving to ensure that patients under your care have the best quality of life,” he added.