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Speeches

Remarks at the official opening of St Patrick’s/Marymount Hospice

Cork, 22nd April 2012

Tá an-áthas orm bheith i bhur measc inniu. Míle buíochas as an gcuireadh agus an fáilte sin. I am grateful to have this opportunity to be here with you all today to officially open this significant new care facility in Cork. I am honoured to be associated with a project which will serve to further enhance the quality of life for those receiving care here. I would like to thank Kevin O’Dwyer, Chief Executive for inviting me to participate by performing this official opening.

St. Patricks Hospital and Marymount Hospice have a long and well-earned tradition of caring for the people of Cork and its hinterland. The original facility dated back to around 1870. It quickly earned for itself a special regard from the people of Cork and became a source of pride for the people of the region. This tradition of excellence whether in the spheres of specialist Palliative Care or moving towards community based services will no doubt be strengthened by the state-of-the-art facility now coming into being.

Those who have had a loved one cared for at the hospital regularly speak of how impressed by the quality of the service and by the practical, emotional and other supports offered by its dedicated and committed staff they have been. Those staff have brought comfort and reassurance to countless numbers over the years at times when we as human beings are at our most vulnerable as we are unwell ourselves or equally upsetting when a loved one is. At times like that people experiencing emotional and physical upheaval may forget to thank those caring people in the hospital environment for all they do for us and others. The lasting impression of St. Patrick’s and Marymount is reflected however in the affection and pride held in the hearts and minds of local people for this place.

One of the most welcome features in Ireland over recent decades has been the positive trend that we are living longer, and staying more active, than ever before. Fortunately for many older people they carry on daily life for many years without needing serious medical intervention. It has to be acknowledged, however, that getting older can in time present its own specific health and personal care problems. It is vital, therefore, that our nursing and other care services are designed and delivered to best support the older people that require them. These are, after all, the very people who contributed and sacrificed so much in so many ways to ensuring that such services either started in the first place, or were maintained and developed as required. It is vital that everyone in Ireland has the right to die with dignity and comfort.

Some of you may know that the modern palliative care movement was largely pioneered by Dame Cicely Saunders in the 1960’s in the United Kingdom. She said, allowing for the slight gender imbalance of the terminology of the era that the aim of hospice care was to enable a person with terminal illness to “live until he dies, at his own maximum potential, performing to the limit of his physical activity and mental capacity with control and independence wherever possible”. This philosophy has been reinforced by the World Health Organisation, and given practical expression by the health system here in Ireland, so that our palliative care services give the best possible quality of life for patients and their families.

In essence, high quality Palliative Care accentuates the positive, celebrates life, and assuages fears and mis-conceptions - whether real or imaginary. This is not to say at all that it tries to ignore or minimise issues relating to death, dying or loss. Practitioners and exponents of Palliative Care are trying to change public perceptions on these issues, and highlight the actual experiences associated with good Palliative Care.

Ireland has always been to the fore of developing Palliative and End-of-Life care. The Hospice movement has an established and strong tradition of caring for people with a life-limiting diagnosis, and strives to develop techniques and approaches tailored to meet specific needs of individuals within its care. The development as a society of our palliative care services so far reflects positively on us. Certainly, the very many people who have witnessed a family member or close friend battle through the latter stages of serious illness will know the huge value of our Palliative Care Teams – their professionalism, absolute care for the patient, support, encouragement.

These wonderful teams in palliative care are more recently moving beyond the traditional life limiting area, to address other non-malignant or chronic conditions - another very welcome development. Those involved can range from young children through to people of all ages, requiring a specific response both in terms of policy and service developments. Nonetheless, the same basic philosophy and approach in regard to a holistic, collaborative and inclusive model of care will continue to be the bedrock for the future.

This new purpose built health facility has responded to the changing needs of the community here in Cork and surrounding county and will greatly improve and expand the essential service currently provided at St Patrick’s/Marymount.

[Tá an foirgneamh nua saintógtha seo i ndiaidh freagairt a dhéanamh ar riachtanaisí atá ag athrú i gCathair agus i gContae Chorcaí. Cuirfidh sé go mór leis an seirbhís riachtanach atá á cur ar fáil cheana féin ag Óspidéal Naomh Phádraig/Ospís Chnoc Mhuire.]

It is so impressive that you will provide in addition to Specialist Palliative care, Continuing and Respite services, Day Care, Community based initiatives, and better Education facilities, making a real difference to many people’s lives. The new facility, one of the largest of its type in the country, is also a practical expression of promoting freedom and choice for older people accessing care services in the region.

The difference that high quality, multi-disciplinary palliative care makes to patients, and their families, cannot be over-emphasized. The professional care and help given at such a difficult time takes a great deal of skill and commitment. I want to pay tribute to each of you for your dedication and inspiring work in this emerging field of care. The success to-date of St Patricks and Marymount, and the potential for even greater achievements in the future, is in no small measure due to your collective vision, commitment and effort.

While contributions from Atlantic Philantropies and the HSE have been hugely important in funding this facility, I would also like to acknowledge ‘Muintir Chorcaí’ who have supported St Patrick’s Hospital and Marymount Hospice so generously down through the years. Numerous volunteers have raised funds or helped in many other ways to achieve what we see here today. Each and every contribution made is important and I would like to say thank you and well done to the people of Cork – your community and city is a better place because of your support and involvement.

In conclusion, I would like to thank you for your warm welcome to me today as I thank everyone associated with making this facility which I am honoured to officially open and to wish you every success in all that you do to help others.

Is tábhachtach an obair atá ar siúl agaibh anseo ar son muintir Chorcaí. Comhghairdeachas libh go léir inniu ‘s go n-éirí go geal libh sna blianta atá romhainn. Go raibh míle maith agaibh.