A public consultation on the National Adult Palliative Care Policy has been announced by health minister Stephen Donnelly.

He made the announcement during a visit to Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services’ Wicklow Hospice, to mark National Palliative Care week.

Minister Donnelly said that an update is planned next year on the national palliative care policy for adults.

An online survey will be used to get the views of the public on how services for people with a serious and progressive illness are delivered, which will inform the policy update.

Priorities

Survey participants will be asked about their awareness of palliative care, their views on current services, and future priorities for palliative-care services.

This survey can be accessed from today, and will be open for six weeks, closing on 25 October. 

Minister Donnelly said: “Getting the views of both those who work in the field of palliative care, interested organisations, and members of the public is vital to the development of this policy." 

National Palliative Care Week 2021 is running from 12-18 September, and will feature events to raise awareness of the benefits of palliative care. 

Ireland's existing palliative-care policy was published in 2001, and is highly-regarded  internationally, Government sources have said.