These pages provide an overview on resources for healthcare professionals and researchers who are working, researching or have an interest in Palliative and End-of-life care.
Design & Dignity, the partnership programme between Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) and HSE Estates, has launched its revised and updated Guidelines to support hospitals build and refurbish their facilities where news can be broken sensitively and families can gather in peace and privacy.
The new Guidelines contain guidance, assessment tools, illustrations and case studies for a range of rooms and spaces relevant to end-of-life care in hospitals.
Toolkit for Compassionate End-of-Life Care
IHF new free toolkit for those delivering end-of-life care as COVID-19 surges
Supporting people to die well in the circumstances now faced in health and residential care settings, is an enormous challenge. Infection control measures and strict visiting restrictions, although vital, mean the empathetic and high standards of end-of-life care that is the norm in these settings are being impacted.
Developed in consultation with healthcare staff in acute hospitals, residential care, and nursing home sectors, and those working in bereavement support and education, the Toolkit includes resources and guidance on subjects like communicating through PPE, care of the dying person, supporting the bereaved, and self-care for staff.
Exploring the Interface of Oncology and Palliative Care in Ireland
Abstract: Aims To explore the integration and delivery of oncology led referrals to palliative care (PC) by examining physician attitudes and referral practices. Methods An online survey was circulated to oncologists and PC physicians in Ireland. Results The study (N = 100) comprised sixty-nine oncologists (69%) and thirty-one PC physicians (31%). Ninety-two(92%) believe patients with advanced cancer should receive concurrent treatment, however only 53% of oncologists(N = 37) routinely refer. Regarding end-of-life (EOL) care: 81% of oncologists (N = 55) are directly involved in its administration, despite 84% (N = 53) agreeing patients benefit when PC specialists coordinate EOL care. Conclusion The gulf between positive attitudes and limited implementation suggests the need for interdisciplinary changes to facilitate integration of PC in clinical practice in Ireland'
Dying in acute hospitals: voices of bereaved relatives
Abstract: Internationally there is an increasing concern about the quality of end-of-life care (EoLC) provided in acute hospitals. More people are cared for at end of life and die in acute hospitals than in any other healthcare setting. This paper reports the views of bereaved relatives on the experience of care they and the person that died received during their last admission in two university adult acute tertiary hospitals.
The Impact of Varying Levels of Advance Care Planning Engagement on Perceptions of the End-of-Life Experience Among Caregivers of Deceased Patients - American Journal of Hospice and Palliative
The desire to die in palliative care: A sequential mixed methods study to develop a semi-structured clinical approach - BMC Palliative Care | Online – 15 April 2020
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End-of-life decisions and care in the midst of a global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic - Intensive & Critical Care Nursing, 2020
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Building a medical undergraduate palliative care curriculum: Lessons learned - J Palliat Care. 2020 Apr 13
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Pursuing a Good Death in the Time of COVID-19 - Journal of Palliative Medicine
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Cicely Saunders International has published "You Matter Because You are You", a seven point palliative care action plan that identifies the major challenges now facing the palliative care system and outlines evidence-based solutions for each of them.
‘How to live and die well’: what I learned from working in an NHS hospice - Guardian 18th January 2020
More Americans Are Dying at Home Than in Hospitals - The New York Times 11 December 2019
How visualising death can help us accept it – video, The Guardian 12 December 2019
LETTER: Restored our faith in humanity and the health system - Southern Star
Death does not need any euphemisms - The Guardian
Doctors are torturing dementia patients at the end of their life. And it’s totally unnecessary - Washington Post [opinion]
Edinburgh to light up for hospices - Third Force News
The ‘chronic sorrow’ of knowing your child will die - The Irish Times, November 5th
End of life carers should have six months paid leave, say experts - University of Sheffield, November 4th
‘I’m organising assisted dying as I lost my wife to motor neurone disease’ - The Guardian, November 2nd
Let down by 'agonising' end-of-life care, BBC, October 23rd
National Clinical Programme for Palliative Care
This HSE & Royal College of Physicians joint programme was established in 2010. The palliative care clinical programme aims to improve access to palliative care for all people with life-limiting conditions and their families regardless of care setting or diagnosis.
British Medical Association - End-of-life care reports
Reports and results of a project by the British Medical Association to examine public and medical professionals' attitudes about issues related to end-of-life care and physician-assisted dying.
Cochrane Collaboration - Key resources on end-of-life care
A collation of key evidence and reviews from the Cochrane collaboration on issues related to palliative and end-of-life care
National Health Library & Knowledge Service. Health Service Executive. Dr. Steevens' Hospital, Dublin 8. Tel: 01-6352555/8. Email: hselibrary@hse.ie
