Boost for Kilkenny patients as Palliative Care Unit officially opened in the South-East

The South East Palliative Care Centre was officially opened by the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, at the University Hospital Waterford on Friday, July 7.

The unit, which serves palliative care patients from Kilkenny and other parts of the South-East is located on the ground and first floor of the ‘Dunmore Wing’ in the hospital.

The Centre is the hub for palliative care in the South-East and supports Community Specialist Palliative Care Teams across the region including in Kilkenny’s Aut Even Hospital.

Staff in the centre will also offer support to community care teams in; South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford.

The Centre was developed for HSE/South East Community Healthcare, as part of a €31.26 million project in 2019.

Speaking at the event, Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, said; “This Centre is a crucial and much appreciated specialist inpatient and outpatient centre for the South-East region“.

“The integration of health services, close co-operation of acute hospital and community healthcare services and promotion of Enhanced Community Care are represented in the Centre’s development and the arrangements in its operation“.

He added: “Of course, the essence of community healthcare is also at play in now having a South East Palliative Care Centre – linked, as it is, with hospice groups and Community Specialist Palliative Care Teams (homecare groups) in counties Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford“, said the Minister. 

Danette Connolly (Chairperson of the Waterford Hospice Movement) commented: “The Waterford Hospice Movement is renowned for its hospice and home care, delivered to the people of Waterford and South Kilkenny for the past 35 years. This has only been possible due to the phenomenal and consistent support we have received in terms of fundraising. It has also allowed us to achieve our dream of an inpatient specialist palliative care unit in the South East.”