Hospice unable to open 20 beds despite demand for service

Marymount Hospice in Cork is under “huge pressures” in terms of admissions as it has been unable to open the extra 20 beds planned for it due to the recession.

One year from its move from its previous location on Wellington Rd in Cork City to a state-of-the-art facility in Curraheen, the dire economic situation in the health service means that just 24 beds in the hospice are available, despite there being capacity for 44 beds.

Kevin O’Dwyer, chief executive of St Patrick’s Hospital/Marymount Hospice, said there were “huge pressures” on admissions but that the integrated service in place offset such demand.

“We need the extra beds and the needs assessment study from the Southern Health Board in 2002 put the demand at 44 beds, so if we could have those beds they would be there,” said Mr O’Dwyer. There are huge pressures a result.”

However, he pointed out that, despite the pressures over admissions, the integrated service allowed for people to be cared for in a home setting without being admitted.

“There is often a myth about hospice care that people come in the front door and don’t leave until they pass away,” said Mr O’Dwyer.

“We have a discharge rate of about 35%. People come in, their symptoms are brought under control, and they go home, supported by home care.

“They can go on a holiday or attend a family wedding in the meantime and enjoy a better quality of life. It might be six months before they come back again. It’s also about improving the quality of life of patients.”

He said patients were referred to the hospice by acute hospital consultants and by its home care teams, and admissions were prioritised, but stressed that nobody who needed to be admitted would be without a bed.

“If someone really needs to be here, then they will be here. The people with the greatest needs are facilitated. It’s an integrated service and our home care teams and daycare teams can offer care to people at home also.

“Our time will come in terms of the new beds. It’s not a finger-pointing exercise and everybody recognises palliative care is needed and has its place.”