Poster re IHF analysis of MDS report and data re SPC services in Ireland.

1. Aim:
To provide some reflections on the data
published in the report “National
Summary of Patient Activity Data for
Adult Specialist Palliative Care Services
in the Republic of Ireland, 2013-2015.
For further details contact Sharon.foley@hospicefoundation.ie or www.hospicefoundation.ie Feb 2019
Introduction:
Aims:
Background:
Minimum Data Set (MDS) data is being collected since 2012 from community specialist palliative care (SPC)
settings and specialist inpatients units. In 2015, a report was commissioned to track the development of the
delivery of SPC services in these settings (Weafer & Toft 2017). This MDS data is vital for the further
development of SPC services in Ireland and can help all stakeholders to understand trends over time, as well
as identify gaps in services, thus aid both planning and service improvement.
Conclusion:
Although improvements in the provision of SPC services has taken place in recent years there is more that
can be done. Funding deficits and regional disparity with regard to accessing inpatient units needs to be
eliminated. Disparities in access to SPC for people who don’t have cancer needs to be resolved and MDS in
acute hospitals should be reported on so that KPIs can be established and the end of life care experience for
those who die in acute hospitals can be improved.
Method:
MDS data available from 2012 – mid 2016 was analysed with
Hospital Inpatient Enquiry (HIPE) data and HSE financial data
as they apply to SPC services.
Reflections:
Reflections on the National Summary of
Patient Activity Data for Adult Specialist
Palliative Care Services in Ireland
Authors: Deirdre Shanagher & Sharon Foley
1. More resources
are required for
SPC services as
the numbers
accessing SPC
services increases
2. Over half of new patients to inpatient units
came from their usual place of residence.
However, the high rate of referral from acute
hospitals demonstrates the importance of
inpatient units in meeting patient preferences,
as well as alleviating the pressures faced by
the hospital sector.
3. Big improvements have occurred in wait
time and access to SPC in the community.
4.Staffing ratios outlined in the 2001 NACPC
policy need to be updated to reflect
changes in service provision and place of
death.
5. Reassuring to
see non-cancer
patients gain
access to
inpatient units in
a similar
proportion to the
UK. However,
greater equity is
needed since
people, no matter
what their
diagnoses,
should be able to
expect equal
access to SPC,
no matter where
they live.