Why Hospice Care for Kilkenny?
There is no hospice in Kilkenny or Carlow

50% of people who die, do so in acute hospitals. This environment is totally unsuitable to the needs of the patient and their families as, often:

• they are surrounded by noise and trauma
• out of necessity, they are placed in overcrowded, public settings
• there simply is no privacy in which to die in dignity

Currently, the only hospice provision in Kilkenny is by the Home Care Team, who provide excellent care but are severely over-stretched and under-funded.

For the lucky few who are fortunate enough to secure a place at one of the three existing hospices in Ireland (Dublin, Cork, Galway), there are still difficulties associated with being far from home:

• For the Patient: Stress of separation from family
• For family and friends: Burden of constantly travelling long distances and living out of home

These add tremendously to the pressure and strain of the situation for everyone.

With the provision of a dedicated hospice in Kilkenny, the Susie Long Hospice Fund aims for as many people as possible to have the calm, peaceful and supportive environment at the end of their lives which everyone deserves.