Big plans for hospice helping Carlow patients as four-year strategy is launched

Waterford Hospice Movement has launched its four-year strategic plan for 2025-2029 to sustain and expand its support services for patients and their families known to the South-East Palliative Care Service across Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary and Wexford.

Waterford Hospice Movement (WHM) supports patients and their families in their own homes, and in the South-East Palliative Care Centre, by providing patient comforts including equipment, amenities, complementary therapies and support services.

Based in the Dunmore Wing (Oak Ward & Beech Floor) of University Hospital Waterford, its work is made possible by the generosity of the local community through donations and fundraising.

The 2025-2029 strategic plan is designed to ensure growth and development of these services, and the goals include:

· Continue to increase the range of services and supports and developing these on an outreach basis to ensure all service users in the county can avail of these at home.
· Ensure funds are spent in accordance with current and emerging needs and requests of patients and families.
· Provide assurance of good governance and accountability to all our stakeholders.
· Continue to adhere to standards of the Charities Regularity Authority.
· Develop a volunteering programme to meet developing and future service needs.

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WHM Chairperson, Barbara Murphy said: “Our Vision in partnership with the HSE is to become a best-in-class Hospice ensuring that patients and families in the South East have supports and services in line with well-established hospice practice.

“Over the next four years, our focus is to continue to expand and innovate, while also ensuring our organisation continues its strong leadership and robust governance structures.”

Dr. Brian Creadon, Consultant, South East Palliative Care said: “Waterford Hospice Movement continues to be instrumental in the development of palliative care services in Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary and Wexford.

“Its legacy includes the development of the first community palliative care services in the 1980s and more recently, in partnership with the HSE, the development of the South East Palliative Care Centre on the grounds of University Hospital Waterford.

“The ongoing support provided by WHM to patients and families allows the enhancement of the care provided. I look forward to working together in partnership with Waterford Hospice Movement to further develop improved services for those with palliative care needs.”

Waterford Hospice Movement is also delighted to announce that Hospice Sunflower Days is returning for its 35th year with the on-street collection taking place on Friday, 6th June and Saturday, 7th June 2025. As well as the on-street collection, the public can also support by donating online throughout the month of June at www.sunflowerdays.ie. Every euro raised locally, stays locally and the donation will go directly to Waterford Hospice Movement.