Palliative Care event to be held in Omagh next week

People with life-limiting illnesses and their carers are being invited to a special event in Omagh next week.

It's been organised by the Western Trust in partnership with the All Ireland Institute for Hospice and Palliative Care..

And is designed to highlight the services available locally for those in need of end-of-life care here.

Emma King, a Palliative Care Facilitator with the Trust says it's important that patients as well as carers attend next week's event.

"We want to talk to patients, we want to talk to carers - about what's important for them - especially when someone's coming to end of life," she said.

"The focus of our event on the 12th of October, is really to consider choices and planning for future care because that'll help us shape what we deliver," she added.

It's been organised as part of Palliative Care Week (3 to 8 October 2016).

Alan Corry-Finn, Western Trust Director of Older Peoples Services and Chairman of the Western Trust Palliative Care Locality Board said: “This important event will provide an opportunity for health care professionals, palliative care organisations, patients, carers and their families to come together to focus on considering choices and planning for future care, wishes and preferences on what is important to people especially toward end of life care.

"The event will also highlight services, support and resources available in the Western Trust area and outline the key priorities for palliative and end of life care in Northern Ireland for the benefit of patients, carers and their families,” he added.

The event is free to attend but places are limited. If you would like book a place please email: Gena.crossan@westerntrust.hscni.net or Tel: (028) 82833117.

Titled ‘Choice and Planning with a Life Limiting Illness - what matters?’, it'll take place on Wednesday 12 October 2016, 9.30am – 2pm at the Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh.