A public consultation on the National Adult Palliative Care Policy was announced yesterday by the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly. Well-funded palliative care is generally presented as the best alternative to assisted suicide.

He was speaking during a visit to Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services’, Wicklow Hospice, a group founded by the Sisters of Charity in 1879.

He said the Government is planning to update the National Palliative Care Policy for adults next year. “We are using an online survey to get the views of the public on how services for people with a serious and progressive illness are delivered, which will inform the policy update. Survey participants will be asked about their awareness of palliative care, their views on current services and future priorities for palliative care services. This survey can be accessed from today and will be open for six weeks closing on 25th October 2021.”

He added: “The survey will provide valuable information about the views of the nation on how care for people with a serious and progressive illness is delivered in Ireland and help to shape the development of the update to the Palliative Care Policy for adults”.