Irish Socialized Medicine Shortchanges the Terminally Ill

Dying people in Ireland are having a hard time accessing vital hospice services under the country’s socialized medical system. From the Story:

TERMINALLY ill patients are being put on waiting lists for vital end-of-life care as a result of the State’s long-term failure to adequately invest in hospice services. Figures released to the Irish Examiner show that on a single day last week, more than 130 people facing imminent death were told it could be weeks before they would be able to access a hospice due to a lack of resources.

The figures, released by the Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) ahead if its national fundraising day tomorrow, show on April 27 a total of 133 patients suffering from terminal cancer, renal and respiratory illnesses were told they could not immediately access the pain relief service. In the country’s three main facilities (the Dublin- based Harold’s Cross, Blackrock and St Francis services), 42 terminally ill patients had to be refused in-patient, home care and day care for an average of five days.

Perhaps not coincidentally, the country is beginning to see advocacy for assisted suicide.