Why does the Delivery of End-of-Life Care Matter?
The delivery of end-of-life care is facing ever increasing challenges. There is limited capacity in already overstretched services which are not uniformly available. Poor access to out-of- hours services can exacerbate the pressures, anxieties, and strain often experienced by families. These challenges can lead to the person being transferred between settings, including avoidable emergency department admissions, where conditions are not always ideal for care at end of life.
What Needs to Happen?
The coordination between care settings at end of life must be prioritised, with a focus on enhancing communication between professionals and services. Processes and systems that facilitate greater integration and continuity of care also need to be in place. Investment in primary care to improve access to out-of-hours care for people, regardless of geography, finances, care setting or diagnosis, is crucial . Some hospital admissions will be necessary but for others, alternative urgent care closer to home should be available to meet their needs. More research is needed to understand what factors contribute to transfers between care settings at end of life, and what enables individuals to remain in their preferred place of care.
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Dying, Death and Bereavement in Ireland 2026
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