25.07.2017

Deputy Dara Calleary TD Dáil Éireann Leinster House Dublin 2

* To ask the Minister for Health if there is a protocol in place for the way in

which hospitals deal with the belongings and possessions of those that pass away in

hospital; if so, the requirements in this regard; if not, if his department will

give consideration to preparing a protocol to include sanctions for breaching the

protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

- Dara Calleary.

Dear Deputy Calleary, The Health Service Executive has been requested to reply directly to you in the context of the above Parliamentary Question, which you submitted to the Minister for Health for response. I have examined the matter and the following outlines the position. Response: The HSE and acute hospitals continually work to ensure that end of life issues and the experiences of families are dealt with as compassionately as possible. The Health Service Executive and Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) commenced work on a new Joint Oversight Group of the Hospice Friendly Hospitals Programme this year. The Hospice Friendly Hospitals Programme is an initiative of the IHF to ensure that end-of-life, palliative and bereavement care is central to the everyday business of hospitals, and the best possible care is available to people at end-of life and their loved ones at this difficult time. The Hospital Friendly Hospitals Programme has been adopted by 48 hospitals nationwide since it was established in 2007 to improve the standard of end-of-life care in Irish hospitals. The new Joint Oversight Group was formed to further support the embedding of the Hospice Friendly Hospital Programme within HSE structures. It will also examine ways to expand and develop the programme across the hospital system where possible.

Rannóg na nOspidéal Géarmhíochaine

Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte Ospidéal Dr. Steevens

BÁC 8

Acute Hospitals Division Health Service Executive

Dr. Steevens’ Hospital Dublin 8

Tel. 01-6352000

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The HFH programme co-ordinates three networks for hospital staff to promote improvements in end-of-life care from the perspective of patients, families and hospital staff; the Acute Hospital Network, Maternity/Children’s Network and The End-of-Life Co-Ordinator Network. The programme advocates for investment in palliative, end-of-life and bereavement care services at the hospital, hospital group and national levels. It develops and promotes the use of ceremonial resources such as the end of life symbol, family handover bags, drapes and ward altars. It also develops promotional and educational supports for all hospital staff. It co-ordinates the Design and Dignity Project which aims to transform the way hospital spaces are designed for people at end-of life. It provides expert advice and guidance directly to hospital staff to support the implementation of the Hospice Friendly Hospitals Programme in their hospitals. Specifically, the HSE in partnership with the IHF promotes the use of a hospital “handover bag” to improve care provided to patients at end of life and their bereaved families and friends. The handover bag concept was first introduced in Irish hospitals through the Hospice Friendly Hospitals Programme. A high quality bag is used and the principle of the family handover bag is to promote a dignified and sensitive way of returning the deceased patient’s personal belongings to the family. The specially designed handover bags carry the end-of-life symbol which was introduced to hospital settings as part of the HFH programme. Please find below an image of the typical handover bag that is used by hospitals. For other personal possessions of value, the HSE follows the “Patients Private Property Guidelines” which are available at http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/publications/corporate/Patients%E2%80%99%20Private%20Property%20Guidelines.pdf. Please also note that the Ombudsman who recently produced his report “A Good Death” which identified the returning of a deceased person’s belongings as important improvement focus is part of the HSE / IHF Joint Oversight Group. I trust this answers your question to your satisfaction. Yours sincerely,

____________________ Dr. Ciaran Browne Acute Hospitals Division

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