The HSE has announced that Limerick is benefiting from "significant ongoing resources" for the delivery of palliative care services, which included a funding boost for Milford Hospice.

"In recent years, further additional funds have been made available for the enhancement and development of palliative care services. In 2006, €9m was provided in development funds (to enhance specialist in-patient beds, to appoint consultant multi disciplinary palliative care teams and to develop home care support). This investment delivered a significant increase in the numbers of palliative care patients receiving specialist treatment in both hospital and community settings," said a spokesman.

"It allowed for an additional 10 specialist palliative care beds to be introduced in Milford Hospice, bringing the total complement of in patient beds to 30. A number of consultants in palliative care medicine have been appointed in addition to a range of specialist palliative care nurses and allied health professionals."

He added that in 2007, a further additional €5 million was made available for developments and in 2008, the HSE Service Plan commits to delivering a further €3 million extra monies in additional developments.

A Five Year Palliative Care Services Development Plan is currently being completed "by the HSE, with significant involvement from the voluntary sector. This plan will provide for revenue and capital investment in order to ensure equitable provision of services across all parts of the country".

The plan will be complete by the end of May and "will provide a very sound planning framework for the sourcing and investment of additional resources", the spokesman said.

The plan "will take a patient centred approach and ensure that patients' particular and unique needs are addressed in a holistic manner. It should also be noted that within the general health services clinical staff are experienced in dealing with people in the latter stages of their lives in a sensitive and dignified fashion, and also strive to provide appropriate support to family members during this difficult time".

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