More than end-of-life care: The work of North West Hospice

Illness and the end of life are not always easy subjects to talk about, yet they are experiences that touch many of our lives, whether through our own health or that of someone we love.

At these times, knowing where to turn for support, guidance and understanding can make all the difference. For North West Hospice Charity, that support begins with helping people and families understand the care available to them, challenging common misconceptions and showing that hospice and palliative care are about so much more than the end of life.

Olive McTague, from Ballinamore, is the Charity Manager of North West Hospice Charity, a service that extends a helping hand to families across Sligo, Leitrim, West Cavan and South Donegal. She is passionate about helping people understand what palliative care is and breaking down the fears and misconceptions surrounding it.

“I think a lot of the misconceptions around palliative care is that it’s only about death. Maybe even someone attending the hospice unit, people think they’re going there to die. But actually, palliative care is about living well, until the very end,” says Olive.

For Olive, the importance of this message is deeply personal. She has been Charity Manager for three years, but her connection to hospice and palliative care goes back further. Having lost her husband, Seamus, to cancer nine years ago, she experienced first-hand the positive impact palliative care can have on families navigating one of life’s most difficult challenges.

She explains that, for some people facing difficult diagnoses, there may come a point when certain treatments are unlikely to make a difference or achieve the outcome they had hoped for. At this stage, they may be referred to palliative care, where the focus shifts to managing symptoms and ensuring they have the best possible quality of life.

“Some people do quite well when they come into palliative care. Their symptoms can be managed, it might allow them to be a little more mobile, less pain, maybe support them to get to do things they really want to do and mightn’t be able to do if they were on conventional treatments,” she explains.

“It’s about living well until the very end. I would always say to people if they’re worried about palliative care, it’s not actually as scary. Sometimes coming into the system can really change people’s lives.”

Making information accessible

Education is a key part of North West Hospice’s work, helping people better understand palliative care and feel more comfortable seeking support. One way the charity is doing this is through its ‘Journey Together’ podcast, which offers informative and compassionate conversations about palliative care.

Olive explains that the aim is to make information accessible whenever people need it, at any time.

“It could be the early hours of the morning, it could be the weekend, when you come out of a meeting with doctors, and you think of questions maybe three or four days later that you mightn’t have remembered to ask. The objective of that podcast was to allow that information to be there and be accessible any time,” she says.

The charity also recognises the importance of starting these conversations early. During Palliative Care Week in September, the team visits schools across Sligo and Leitrim to hold sessions with Transition Year students, helping young people build an understanding of hospice care and its place in the community.

“That’s really important for us as an organisation that young people have that connection to the hospice. We have to learn from young people, they have a part to play in everything.”

A community that cares

At the heart of North West Hospice Charity is its relationship with the community. Olive describes a reciprocal bond, with the hospice supporting local families and the community giving back in ways that help sustain and develop its services.

“We can’t do anything without the community, and everything we do is for the community,” she says. “Somebody may have a family member who goes in through our clinical services and gets the support that they need. They might end up doing a fundraiser or a coffee morning, and that money is then used to support, develop and enhance services.”

Olive’s gratitude for the community is evident, particularly towards those who fundraise across local communities and schools. Their efforts are a testament to the impact the hospice has on so many lives. She also acknowledges the many volunteers whose time and dedication help keep the service running.

This connection with the community also helps open the door to conversations about difficult topics such as sickness, grief and bereavement. Through its work in schools, educational initiatives and information sessions, the hospice creates opportunities for people to learn, share their experiences and talk about the people they have lost.

“It’s nice for people to get the opportunity to talk about their person or speak about their loved one,” she says.

There has been a clear interest within the community in learning more about grief and bereavement, reflected in attendance at the hospice’s information sessions.

Another session is due to take place in Carrick-on-Shannon on November 24 in the Landmark Hotel. These sessions are open to anyone in the community, offering an opportunity to learn how to support a friend experiencing grief or to better understand and navigate their own.

Importantly, the hospice continues to be there for families long after the loss of a loved one. Its social work team runs a monthly walk-and-talk session, bringing together people who have experienced loss to walk together and enjoy a coffee afterwards. The initiative is rooted in the importance of community, companionship and human connection.

“It’s another connection point for people to help them through their bereavement journey. It’s a very safe environment,” she explains.

Looking to the future

As North West Hospice continues to support individuals and families across the region, a new 12-bed building on the Mall in Sligo is set to mark an important step forward for the clinical service. It represents a significant development for the hospice as it continues its work of providing care, comfort and support to people when they need it most.

Yet, at the centre of everything the hospice does is the same message Olive hopes people will take away: that support is available, that there are people ready to help, and that nobody has to face a life-limiting illness or the challenges of caring for a loved one alone.

Ultimately, Olive hopes that anyone who knows or cares for someone with a life-limiting illness understands the options available to them and knows they are not alone.

“I would like to say to them: well done and you’re doing great because it can be difficult to care for somebody when you have your own worries and fears.

“I would also like them to know you’re not alone, there are supports out there. Reach out to whoever that may be,” she says, adding that the GP can be the first point of contact for referral for those looking to access palliative care in the community.

“Don’t be afraid to ask people for help. People are happy to help. Keep doing what you’re doing and mind yourself, and ask for support. We’re all in it together to look after each other,” she adds.

As North West Hospice continues to grow through its information events, podcasts, new building and more, its focus remains unchanged: care, compassion and community.

For Olive, the role of Charity Manager is one she does not take lightly. Throughout the conversation, her gratitude for those who support the hospice shines through, recognising the difference that every contribution can make.

“Everyone who supports the service; I am so grateful for people sharing and helping along the way. You never know what that’s going to do. You don’t know what that impact will be or how it will help,” she says.

“I’m so grateful, from my heart, for people and what they do. We have an incredible staff, community, and volunteers, across Sligo, Leitrim, South Donegal and West Cavan.”