Tullamore Hospital marks Palliative Care Week

To celebrate 10 years of Palliative Care Week an educational seminar for staff has taken place at Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore (MRHT) along with an information stand for the general public to raise awareness.

The talk was given by the hospital’s Palliative Medicine Consultant Michael Cushen to the theme of this year’s event Palliative Care: Living for Today, Planning for Tomorrow. The event focused on what palliative care means, on the positive impact that palliative care can have on the lives of people with life-limiting illnesses and how it can help people live as well and as fully as they possibly can.

Speaking at the event Dr Michael Cushen said, ‘Palliative Care enables people to make the most of the life they have left. Patients receiving Palliative Care benefit from a broad range of supports focusing on the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the person with a life-limiting illness. Not only this, but it also provides support for family members, carers and those close to them too.’

He continues ‘Palliative Care can also prompt difficult conversations around planning for future care needs. Advance Care Planning means thinking about, talking about, and recording your choices, values, and preferences for your care at end of life.’

Zara Dagg End of Life Care Coordinator at Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore said “Palliative care can be received alongside other treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy. It can also benefit people with life-limiting illnesses across their lifespan, from infancy to childhood to adulthood. By planning ahead we are ensuring that our families, loved ones and healthcare staff know our wishes and preferences for our future care needs”.

Paula Ward our cAdvanced Nurse Practitioner at Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore said “Providing Palliative Care at an early stage in a person’s illness can help to better manage symptoms and complications. The more patients and families understand that it is not only for end of life, but from diagnosis of a life-limiting condition onwards that patients will enjoy the benefits of an improved quality of life.

Catriona Mc Donald General Manager at MRHT says “We in MRHT are very supportive of the important work carried out by our specialist Palliative Care Team and the ongoing information and education for staff and the public about Palliative Care. It is important that people can understand we are doing what we can to change lives, for the better, with patients, by allowing them to live as well as possible for as long as possible.

For more information visit thepalliativehub.com