Extending access to palliative care among key strategies to increase patient support

Launching the report, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said providing dignified end-of-life care 'goes right to the soul' of who we are. Picture: Niall Carson/PA 

Ensuring people have equal access to palliative care across the country is among 25 key changes in a strategy to support patients and their families.

The document also calls for the expansion of out-of-hours palliative care in the community and an increase in GP home visits to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions.