The HSE this evening (Monday, September 4th) launched an evaluation report of the Kerry Specialist Palliative Care Service (KSPCS) which highlights the importance strong local leadership, consistent community support and adherence to national best practice as factors in the service’s success.
Kerry Specialist Palliative Care Service Evaluation Report (PDF, size 1.06 MB, 60 pages)
The report was carried out by the International Federation of Integrated Care (IFIC) and commissioned by the HSE/Cork Kerry Community Healthcare. It identified many strengths in the KSPCS model, including:
- A strong sense of local ownership
- Alignment with national policy
- Service deliver and design following best practice in integrated palliative care
- Clear and consistent leadership with clear goal
A consistent theme in the report is the value of connected local leadership that adheres to a national clinical blueprint with support from the HSE.
Tonight’s launch was co-hosted by Cork Kerry Community Healthcare and the Kerry Hospice Foundation. Speakers at the event included Head of Primary Care for Cork and Kerry Priscilla Lynch; Prof Aine Carroll of IFIC; Michael Fitzgerald, Kerry Hospice Foundation volunteer and a former Chief Officer of Cork Kerry Community Healthcare; Jack Shanahan of Kerry Hospice Foundation and Dr Patricia Sheahan, clinical lead for the KSPCS.
Speaking ahead of the event, Chief Officer of Cork Kerry Community Healthcare Tess O’Donovan said the report highlights the importance of strong community support for the service, with an innovative approach to funding and partnership with the Kerry Hospice Foundation leading to a locally-owned service that is still integrated into the national health system.
Clinical lead, Dr Sheahan said that the report will be used to plan for the next phase of development for Kerry Specialist Palliative Care service.
