Tipperary TD demands restoration of palliative home cancer care for children

Tipperary TD Michael Lowry has demanded that the Government restore the palliative cancer care service for children in the region.

“No family should be forced to publicly plead for palliative care for their child,” said Deputy Lowry.
He raised the issue in Dáil Eireann to plead for palliative care to be provided at home for Danny Norris.
Palliative care for Danny, which had been refused by the HSE in November, was provided following the intervention of Deputy Lowry.

That care was put in place to allow his parents Lar and Lisa bring Danny home for his final days.
Before Danny passed away last Friday, Deputy Lowry raised the matter again in Dáil Éireann and called for the service to be restored.

“If we, Minister, as elected representatives of the people, cannot ensure that the needs of terminally ill children are fully provided for, then none of us, none of us, deserve to sit in this House,” said Deputy Michael Lowry when addressing Minister of State in the Department of Health, Mary Butler.

“This is something that requires urgent attention. It has taken the heartbreaking case of a seven-year-old boy to bring the need for paediatric palliative care in south Tipperary and the South East region into focus again in this House.
“This family’s ordeal brought forth the best in people, while also highlighting the glaring gaps in vital service provision. The trauma inflicted on this family can never be allowed to happen again,” he stated.

“Despite claims in January of this year by the HSE South East Community Healthcare officials that there is a range of services available to support children with palliative care needs in the region, when this boy’s family reached out to avail of them, they were told the service is not available to them.

“The reason they were given is that these services are not in place where they live.
“In fact, they learned that such a vital service has not been available in their area since 2017.
“Yet, in January, the HSE in the South East region outlined in impressive terms what a paediatric palliative care service provides. They spoke of primary and social care tailored to meet the specific needs of each child.

“Of how a model of care for children had been developed to support children with life-limiting conditions in their homes. They emphasised that the South/South West Hospital Group, along with South East Community Healthcare, had supported the recruitment of additional posts, including a paediatrician interested in palliative care and an expanded Outreach Nursing Service,” said Deputy Lowry.

He asked Minister Butler why none of this service was available when it was needed for the Norris family.
“I want a solid guarantee that it will never happen again,” he said.
“Glorified descriptions of what a paediatric palliative care service should provide is cold comfort to those families that cannot get that care if their child needs it. This is care that their child needs and is entitled to receive regardless of their postal code,” he said.

Deputy Lowry said that no parent in the area should have to fight the system to obtain end-of-life care for their child.
He asked Minister Butler what was the current situation regarding paediatric palliative care services in the South East. he wanted to know if families could be certain this service would be available if it was needed.

Minister Butler, in response, thanked Deputy Lowry for raising this very important issue and for the work he did to advocate for the young boy and his family.
“Why did this family’s situation happen – I can’t tell you that, but it shouldn’t have happened. At this most difficult time in their lives, nobody should have to fight for that particular care,” said the Minister.
The Minister went on to say that a sustainable long-term solution for the provision of palliative care in the South East was under development.

“The Department of Health and the HSE will continue to progress development for Children’s Palliative Care Services in Ireland, working towards the highest possible end-of-life care for children with life-limiting conditions across the country,” she said.
Deputy Lowry said what was the time scale involved concerning that development.
“We were told in 2020 that it had progressed and now we find ourselves at the end of 2022 and we’re talking about developing a service,” said Deputy Lowry.

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Minister Butler said there was no timeline involved.
“But I will give you my guarantee now, Deputy, that this is something I will keep on top of.
“So it is something I will give you my commitment on, and I will keep on top of it,” said Minister Butler.