AQW 17145/22-27
Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry
Tabled Date: 22/10/2024
Answered On Date: 07/11/2024
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail their plans to develop a strategy for death, dying and bereavement.
Answer:
Issues of death, dying and bereavement extend far beyond the remit of the Department of Health and would require a cross-Departmental approach. I am aware of calls for death, dying and bereavement to be included in the Programme for Government, which has recently been subject to consultation. Any future strategy should be considered within the context of the outcome of the consultation and the new Programme for Government. However, I am very aware of the importance of palliative and end of life care in supporting people with palliative care needs to live well and achieve the best quality of life as their illness progresses. I also recognise the importance of information and support for those who are experiencing grief and bereavement. My Department is committed to improved palliative care and bereavement support. The regional Palliative Care in Partnership Programme, co-led by my Department’s Strategic Planning and Performance Group and the Public Health Agency, brings together a wide range of stakeholders across the statutory, independent and voluntary and community sectors, including hospices, as well as service users, to support the development and implementation of services for adults who are living with palliative and end of life care needs and those important to them. The Partnership’s workplan priorities for 2023-26 focus on 4 priority areas: early identification of and timely intervention for people with palliative care needs; co-ordination & quality improvement in palliative care services; palliative care education and training; and a public health approach to palliative care. These priorities and associated workstreams will inform and support the Palliative Care in Partnership Programme and its member organisations in taking forward a range of actions to further improve palliative and end of life care for adults. In terms of palliative care for children, my Department’s Strategy for Children’s Palliative and End-of-Life Care, published in 2016, sets out 23 objectives across the spectrum of paediatric palliative care from diagnosis through to bereavement care. The Regional Paediatric Palliative Care Network (RPPCN) identifies the key priorities for delivery in line with the Strategy and puts in place measures to deliver these. It also acts as a vehicle for the region to identify areas of best practice and share clinical opinion on specific cases. The network also ensures there are close working relations across all Trusts and the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice and offers clinical leadership on the strategic delivery of the key objectives within the Strategy. Key areas taken forward to date include the development of ante-natal care pathways, rapid discharge plans, advanced care plans and agreed pathways regarding pain relief. The RPPCN will continue to review and deliver improvements to paediatric palliative care in NI. In terms of bereavement, the Northern Ireland Bereavement Network, which brings together all relevant cross-departmental and community organisations and agencies, has developed the ‘Bereaved NI’ website. The website, which was launched in March 2024, provides easily accessible bereavement information and support to the public at each point of the bereavement journey. It includes information relating to palliative care; pregnancy and baby loss; resources for children and young people; information for people who have been bereaved by suicide and those who have suffered a sudden or traumatic loss; as well as practical support including financial and legal advice. The NI Bereavement Network is also progressing work to develop a Bereavement Charter for Adults and a separate Charter for Children and Young People.
|