A night nursing service for children and adults
with a non-malignant disease
Authors: Foley, S., Lynch M., O’Sullivan, G., Shanagher, D. The Irish Hospice Foundation
April 2016
Introduction
Each year approx. 350 children die in Ireland due to a life-limiting condition.
Many, but not all, families have a preference to care for their child at home during their final days.
The Irish Cancer Society’s (ICS) national night nursing service supports people with cancer to die at home.
In 2006 this service was extended to children and adults with non-malignant diseases. This aspect of the ICC service is funded by the Irish
Hospice Foundation and is referred to as ‘nurses for nightcare’ (NNC).
The NNC service is outlined here in comparison to information available from Ireland and the United Kingdom (UK). This is identified as a means
of determining trends in access to specialist palliative care (SPC) by people with non malignant illness in Ireland.
Methods
Information from the Irish Hospice Foundation’s NNC service along with Minimum Data Set (MDS) information from Ireland and the National
Council for Palliative Care in the UK were evaluated to determine, trends, similarities and inconsistencies in data.
Findings The chart to the left indicates the number
of people with and without cancer that
accessed SPC services from 2011 to
2013 in Ireland and the UK.
In both countries the number of people
with non malignant illness accessing
specialist palliative care services is rising.
Across the 3 years non-malignant
illnesses accounted for between 16 and
17% of those that accessed SPC services
in the UK and between 19 and 26% in
Ireland.
At a glance- referrals to NNC service
Indications • Additional datasets should be examined (e.g.
Irish Cancer Society, Jack & Jill Children’s
Foundation, CSO, Hospice at Home project
information ) to illustrate more detailed
trends.
• Comparison of data over a longer period of
time is required to identify more trends.
• Awareness raising about the NNC service
amongst healthcare professionals is
required.
• It is estimated that the NCC service will cost
in excess of €600,000 for 2016. The NNC
service is funded by the IHF, through
voluntary fundraising. A sustainable model
for the service is being explored by the IHF
and the ICS.
Year Children
2010 21
2011 18
2012 6
2013 11
2014 27
2015 25
Total 108
This chart above shows the number of referrals to the NNC from Local
Health Offices 2010-2015.
The data analysis shows inconsistencies across the country in the
rate of referrals to the NNC service.
A dip in referrals is noted between 2011 and 2013.
Find out more about the NNC service visit
W: http://hospicefoundation.ie/healthcare-programmes/palliative-care/palliative-care-for-all/night-care
T: +353 (0)1 6793188 E: [email protected]
