Hospice funding - Cutbacks show lack of compassion

The idea of cutting necessary funds for a hospice treating dying cancer patients is so callous that it casts serious doubts on the compassion and competence of the North Western Health Board, and also calls into question whether the Government has any sense of responsibility to the public.

Last year the Sligo hospice enlarged its homecare team so that it could provide a seven-day service, instead of just five days a week.

Three nurses were added to the staff at a cost €186,000 annually. The Department of Health agreed to provide €155,000 of that cost through the local health board. After the new service came into operation, however, the allotted money was cut to €85,000, leaving the hospice with a shortfall of €70,000.

The hospice demonstrated its extraordinary dedication by raising the extra money itself, but the staff are understandably annoyed that the North Western Health Board had a budget surplus last year of €13.5 million. One must question whether the health authorities have any proper sense of priorities.

This government has no problem finding extra money for planes for themselves, and the Minister for Finance has no difficulty providing millions for equestrian facilities in his own constituency.

Nobody should really be surprised that the Department of Health which has exhibited such appalling judgment in cutting hospice funds unnecessarily should be lurching from one disaster to another.