Ireland’s first ever-survey of palliative care is getting underway today, with the launch of Let’s Talk About.
People from across the island of Ireland with incurable conditions, including advanced respiratory disease, cancer, chronic kidney disease, heart failure and dementia are asked to fill out the survey. They will be asked to share their experiences of living with their conditions, with the aim of improving the standards of palliative care in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Led by the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC), the survey is supported by both the HSE and Northern Ireland’s Public Health Agency.
However, the survey is not only for those suffering from incurable conditions, as expressed by AIIHPC Director Paddie Blaney: “The survey is aimed at people living with a serious or progressive medical condition from which they are unlikely to be cured, someone they know or care for, or someone they knew or cared for in the past two years. We are looking for people to be honest and specific telling both their good and bad experiences of care. Each story is valuable, hundreds of stories and more will be powerful.”
Once the survey has run its course, the findings will be interpreted by the HSE. Its Director of Advocacy, Greg Price said, “The HSE is pleased that this positive initiative is now underway and encourages the public to tell us about their experiences of palliative care. The HSE will review the findings which will be used to inform policy and service decisions for the future.”
The survey can be found online at www.letstalk-about.org and runs until the 31st of May. All information provided in the 15-20 minutes it takes to complete is confidential.
More information about the survey can be found on the AIHPC website at http://www.aiihpc.org
By Aimee Mac Leod
