Published: Wednesday, 17th February, 2010 6:00pm

Funding for hospice staff approved

by Karen Downey

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There is finally light at the end of the tunnel for the South Westmeath Hospice as Health Minister Mary Harney has approved funding for the staffing of the facility.

The Minister has followed through on a commitment she made to the hospice committee while on a visit to Athlone two years ago and this week signed off on funding for staff for the unit, which has been completed and kitted out after a major fundraising drive from the committee over the past number of years.

Fianna Fáil Deputy Mary O'Rourke said this week she met the Minister two weeks ago and raised the issue with her. Minister Harney told her at the time funding would be made available.

After signing off on the HSE's service indicators report, which was published yesterday (Tuesday), last week, Minister Harney told Deputy O'Rourke that the hospice would be getting its staff.

Deputy O'Rourke said: "Mary Harney confirmed to me that she has instructed the HSE nationally to include it in the plan locally. It is earmarked for opening this year and is expected to be fully staffed by mid-March."

Deputy O'Rourke added that this is very good news and pointed out that she has been a long-term supporter of the hospice committee and its efforts.

Both O'Rourke and Senator Nicky McFadden lobbied in early 2009 for the HSE to fund the staffing needed for the unit.

With the funding of staff now in place, the dream has finally been realised for the South Westmeath Hospice committee, made up of Patricia Braiden, Ted Carty, Paul Connellan, Maura Harten, Tom Higgins, Tony Lowry, Michael Lucitt, Dr Rose Kirby O'Hanlon and Hazel Reid.

The committee was formed in 1994 to increase the provision of palliative care service to people in the South Westmeath area.

While the hospice committee funds palliative care services, its biggest undertaking was to fund the building of a new hospice on the grounds of St Vincent's Hospital.

Construction work on the building was completed at the end of 2008 and the committee then continued its fundraising efforts into 2009 in a bid to kit out the unit.

The €1.25m unit consists of four single bed rooms with ensuite assisted bathrooms and toilets; a standard medical treatment and office accommodation for nursing staff; a dayroom/dining area for patients and a family room for patients to avail of.