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.