A NEW family room and an education bursary for staff in St Luke’s General Hospital Kilkenny are some of the new measures being funded by a local charity on the 16th anniversary of Susie Long’s death.
The Susie Long Hospice Fund (SLHF) has entered a new five-year agreement with St Luke’s General Hospital Kilkenny to substantially improve end-of-life care for all patients including palliative care patients.
Willie Meighan
Photo by Anthony Griffin
Willie Meighan, long time Hospice Fund Committee member and Treasurer, passed away on November 28, 2017. His death left a huge void in the lives of all who knew him and the Hospice Fund lost a great champion and colleague.
The following eulogy was delivered at Willie's funeral by his close friend and fellow committee member, Malcolm Noonan. Click below to read the full text.
“At ten to eight on November 2nd, Willie posted on Facebook
What followed was what can only be described as an avalanche of stories…”
Great news! 12-bed hospice approved for St. Luke's Hospital
A new 75-bed extension to St. Luke’s Hospital, announced on Monday (July 16th) by Health Minister, Simon Harris will include a 12-bed Palliative Care Unit (Hospice).
The Susie Long Hospice Fund, which has been fundraising and lobbying for the Hospice for almost eleven years, is very grateful to John Paul Phelan T.D. and the hospital management for their support in getting the Hospice included in the plans. More detailed information to follow shortly.
Conor Mac Liam and Paul Colfer (SLHF) recently spoke to Eimear Ni Bhraonain on KCLR Live. Listen below
(l-R): Liam Keane (advisor to John Paul Phelan T.D.), Prof. Garry Courtney (Clinical Director, St. Luke’s), Conor MacLiam (SLHF), Paul Colfer (SLHF), Tommy Roche (SLHF), Simon Harris (Health Minister) and John Paul Phelan T.D.
Benefits of Kilkenny Hospice
When operational, the Hospice will provide Palliative Care services to the people of Kilkenny and Carlow, including:
• appropriate care in a suitable environment for terminally ill people
• access to multidisciplinary specialist services
• access to respite care
• a place where the terminally ill of all ages will find the comfort and tranquillity of a home-like environment, rather than a busy acute care hospital setting
• a place where terminally ill patients will be able to die with dignity, surrounded only by caring staff and loved ones
• day-care services
• outpatient clinics
• the opportunity for more people to be discharged from hospital settings to their preferred place of care – the home.
All rooms will be single, en-suite.
Why Hospice Care?
Around 50% of people who die, do so in acute hospitals. This environment is totally unsuitable to the needs of the patient and their families as, often:
→ they are surrounded by noise and trauma
→ out of necessity, they are placed in overcrowded, public settings
→ there simply is no privacy in which to die in dignity
Currently, the only hospice provision in Kilkenny is by the Home Care Team, which provides excellent care but are severely over-stretched and under-funded.
For the lucky few who are fortunate enough to secure a place at one of the few existing hospices in Ireland, there are still difficulties associated with being far from home:
→ For the Patient: Stress of separation from family
→ For family and friends: Burden of constantly travelling long distances and living out of home
These add tremendously to the pressure and strain of the situation for everyone. With the provision of a dedicated hospice in St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny, the Susie Long Hospice Fund aims for as many people as possible to have the calm, peaceful and supportive environment at the end of their lives which everyone deserves.
About us
The Susie Long Hospice Fund was set up as a Trust in October 2007 and obtained charitable status in 2008 (charity no. CHY17950)
We are a voluntary committee based in Kilkenny.
Our accounts are audited annually by DeLoughry and O’Gorman, Accountants, Kilkenny and anyone is welcome to view them in full.
