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Attendees at the launch of the Kerry Specialist Palliative Care Service evaluation report on Monday evening. Photo By : Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD
THE HSE has launched an evaluation report of the Kerry Specialist Palliative Care Service (KSPCS) which highlights the importance of strong local leadership, consistent community support and adherence to national best practice, as factors in the service’s success.
Future plans under discussion for the service include five additional beds at the Tralee inpatient unit, an additional consultant post and an outreach service in Killarney.
The report, launched on Monday, was carried out by the International Foundation for Integrated Care (IFIC) and commissioned by the HSE/Cork Kerry Community Healthcare. The launch was co-hosted by Cork Kerry Community Healthcare and the Kerry Hospice Foundation.
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Speakers at the event included Head of Primary Care for Cork and Kerry, Priscilla Lynch; Prof Aine Carroll, of IFIC; Michael Fitzgerald, Kerry Hospice Foundation volunteer and a former Chief Officer of Cork Kerry Community Healthcare; Jack Shanahan of Kerry Hospice Foundation and Dr Patricia Sheahan, clinical lead for the KSPCS.
At the launch of the report were IFIC’s Professor Aine Carroll , Kerry Hospice Foundation chairman Jack Shanahan , Dr Patricia Sheahan, clinical lead for the KSPCS and Head of Primary Care in Cork and Kerry Priscilla Lynch. Photo By : Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD
Speaking ahead of the event, Chief Officer of Cork Kerry Community Healthcare Tess O’Donovan said the report highlights the importance of strong community support for the service, with an innovative approach to funding and partnership with the Kerry Hospice Foundation leading to a locally-owned service that is still integrated into the national health system.
Clinical Lead, Dr Patricia Sheahan said that the report will be used to plan for the next phase of development for Kerry Specialist Palliative Care Service.
“The report clearly identifies the importance of a connected local leadership, harnessing local support but also adhering to a national clinical blueprint. As a service, we will continue to build on these important pillars as we work with the community to plan future developments.”
Dr Sheahan added: “Working in collaboration with Kerry Hospice Foundation, a series of engagement meetings will take place in communities across Kerry to discuss the next steps in the development of the service.”
Kerry Hospice Foundation chairman Jack Shanahan said: “Kerry Hospice Foundation is proud of what we have achieved for our community. The partnership we have forged with the HSE has delivered a world-class palliative care service. We have shown how a motivated community organisation, working with an engaged HSE, delivers. We strongly believe that this will continue to be the best model for our plans to enhance and expand our palliative care service.”
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