New hospice under evaluation
The tender process for the new hospice in Cavan and Monaghan is currently being evaluated by HSE Estates and the appointed design team.
The HSE are in the process of appointing a contractor and expect construction to begin in the second quarter of 2025.
It is expected that an 18- 24 month construction timeline will be required.
In partnership with St. Christopher’s Hospice charity, the HSE are developing a 16-bed specialist palliative care unit for the region of Cavan and Monaghan. The design has been completed and planning permission secured.
The confirmation came after questions from Deputy Brendan Smyth, who raised with the Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and the HSE the need to have adequate resources provided for a 7 day week palliative care programme with sufficient staffing levels for Cavan and Monaghan.
The Minister said specialist palliative care is currently provided to patients across Cavan and Monaghan, both in the acute hospital and in the community.
Minister Carroll MacNeill also informed that in 2023, the service was allocated a second consultant in the Palliative Medicine post which they are "in process of recruiting."
She also stated that two additional posts with a budget of €201,000 are being allocated to Cavan and Monaghan this year.
These posts include an Assisted Director of Nursing post, which will be key to the planning and delivery of a new hospice, and a community specialist palliative care nurse to enhance the care to patients in the community.
The current budget for specialist palliative care in the area for 2025 is €1.3 million.
"As part of the Programme for Government, we will continue to invest in palliative care to achieve full national coverage of hospice and community services and to fund the National Adult Palliative Care Policy," she said.
This year, the total national palliative care budget is €184.2m – a 15% increase on 2024.
"The government will continue to prioritise our palliative care services ensuring the best palliative and end-of-life care,” said Minister Carroll McNeil.
Deputy Smyth welcomed the "forthcoming provision" of the 16-bed specialist palliative care unit in Cavan Town.
"I compliment the St. Christopher’s Hospice Committee, its volunteers and the support from the local community in Cavan and Monaghan for the excellent work carried out over the years.
"The new facilities will be a great addition to healthcare provision in Cavan and Monaghan and I commend all who have worked so hard in support of St. Christopher’s.
"That work is so important for our community and widely appreciated by patients and their families. I also know that the HSE are anxious to have this new facility in place as soon as possible."
However he said there is "a need for further resources" to support the "great work" by palliative care professionals providing care in the community.
"With the increasing instances of illnesses that require palliative care there is an urgent need to increase the number of personnel working in this specialist area,” concluded Deputy Brendan Smith.