Ireland’s only children’s hospice, LauraLynn, to increase care in Leinster and expand services in Cork
Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, visited LauraLynn Children’s Hospice today as the charity announced significant plans to expand its services including establishing an on-the-ground presence in the Munster region.
Plans are underway to establish a satellite service in county Cork bringing services closer to home for children with palliative care needs and their families in the Munster region. The announcement comes as the charity celebrates a ‘Decade of Care’ marking its 10th Birthday today.
LauraLynn provides care to more than 220 families per year but the charity’s aim is to double that to reach 400 families by 2024, increasing care provided from its existing facility in Dublin and establishing a new presence on the ground in Cork city. In addition, LauraLynn will continue to support more than 200 bereaved families annually.
Research suggests that there are more than 3,840 children living in Ireland with life limiting conditions; approximately 1,900 children have palliative care needs; and up to 720 of these children require specialised hospice care as their health is unstable, deteriorating or at end-of-life.
Currently, there are 192 children in the Munster region who are estimated to have palliative care needs, who are deteriorating or at end of life. Since opening in 2011, LauraLynn has provided care and support to 84 children and their families from across Munster.
Speaking at LauraLynn today, Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly said;
‘’Today’s announcement from LauraLynn to expand to reach more children and families closer to their homes is a hugely significant one. Access to specialised hospice care and support for children with life-limiting conditions and their families is absolutely vital. LauraLynn have been the leaders in providing children’s hospice care in Ireland for a decade now and their commitment to reach even more children is highly admirable. Palliative Care is an extremely important type of care which ensures the greatest quality of life for both the patient and their families and today’s announcement is very welcomed’’.
LauraLynn is working with stakeholders providing palliative care in the Cork area and the objective is to collaborate with an established service to ensure that the extension of LauraLynn’s care might be delivered most effectively and utilising existing networks and professionals. LauraLynn aims to begin administering some care and supports to families in Cork and surrounding areas this side of Christmas, with the view to being fully operational in early 2022.
LauraLynn CEO, Kerry McLaverty says;
‘’We are delighted to be announcing plans to expand our services today as we mark a Decade of Care. LauraLynn’s ambition has always been to be there for every child and family who needs us and today’s announcement is one step closer to achieving that goal. The opening of a satellite service in Cork will bring services closer to children across the Munster region and will enable families to get the care and support they need closer to home which is something that we know is extremely important. In the last 10 years LauraLynn has supported more than 2,500 people. Caring for more than 520 children and providing support to more than 2,000 mums, dads, brothers, sisters and direct family members, we want to be able to bring that level of support to more and more families who need us over the next decade.’’
Since opening in September 2011 more than 436,368 hours of respite, crisis and end-of-life care has been provided in LauraLynn’s Children’s Hospice.
For further media information, please contact: Jennifer McDonald, PR & Communications Executive, LauraLynn Children’s Hospice Email: jmcdonald@lauralynn.ie
