Galway Hospice launches pilot Healthcare Assistant service

Pilot service strengthens Community Palliative Care support for patients and families.

Galway Hospice has launched a new pilot community-based Healthcare Assistant service, providing additional practical and emotional support to patients receiving specialist palliative care at home.

The service forms part of Galway Hospice’s Community Palliative Care team and has been developed to help patients remain comfortable and supported in their preferred place of care, while also offering reassurance and respite to families and carers when they need it most.

Working closely with specialist palliative care nurses, doctors and the wider multidisciplinary team, the Healthcare Assistant service provides support with personal care, mobility, comfort measures and emotional wellbeing, helping to ensure patients and families receive coordinated, holistic care.

An Additional Layer of Care When It Is Needed Most

Breeda Feeney, a Clinical Nurse Manager with Galway Hospice’s Community Palliative Care team, welcomed the introduction of the new service: “This is an additional support for patients and families. It is not intended to replace existing home support services, but rather to complement them when people need extra help. Our priority is often supporting patients whose condition has changed quickly or who are approaching the end of life, but we can also provide valuable respite for carers. Sometimes just a few hours of support can make a real difference to a family.”

This Healthcare Assistant service is designed to complement existing community supports and home care services, providing an additional layer of care when circumstances change or needs increase, often outside of normal workday hours.

Amy Kybartaite, who delivers this service, explained: “During normal working hours, patients and families can access a range of community supports. However, outside those hours, people can often feel alone when difficulties arise. This service provides an additional layer of support and reassurance during evenings, nights and weekends, when families may feel most vulnerable. It is another example of how we continue to evolve our services to meet the needs of our community.”

Respite and Reassurance for Families and Carers

The service can assist patients who are experiencing discomfort, distress, changes in their condition or increasing care needs. It can also provide short periods of respite, allowing carers time to rest, attend appointments, complete everyday tasks or simply take a break.

“We know that caring for someone with a life-limiting illness can be physically and emotionally demanding,” Amy added. “Having someone there to provide support and reassurance can be hugely important for families. For some patients, that additional support can make the difference between remaining comfortably at home or needing an unplanned admission to hospital or hospice care.”

The service is currently available to patients under the care of Galway Hospice’s Community Palliative Care team.