Developing a Supportive Policy Framework for End of Life

Mervyn Taylor

Issue 392, vol.98, Winter 2009

The ‘life-event’ concept has emerged as a guiding metaphor for the development and coordination of public services. Our Citizen Information Board’s on-line resource, for instance, recognises that (alongside the existential issues) even the economic issues are also involved in the end of life – and demonstrates through the detailed nature of its listings that a solicitor and/or accountant have as much right to be part of the ‘life-event’ / ‘holistic’ response as a spiritual adviser. Our intention should be to build the widest possible coalition of interests to address the one life-event from which most people and institutions shy away.

The role of a government Department such as Health will be obvious. But Community And Family Affairs could contribute to the process of registration and notification of deaths, and to systems of notification of eligibility for benefits and carer-supports. The Environment Department could influence the design and organisation of burial-places. Local authorities could address the accommodation needs of older people. Among other issues requiring the attention of influential key groups are : life assurance policies; cost of funerals; legal aid; financial planning; organ transplantation; media engagement with grieving families.

Hospital-managements themselves often need convincing that ‘for persons approaching the end of life, it is common to find that treatment is not worth its burdens’. A consensus should be built to ensure that no one dies alone, frightened and in pain. And all religious and faith groups must be rallied - their contribution will be to develop our individual and collective sense of fortitude and resilience in the face of the most powerful of all forces : the force of life and its sad familiar, death.

Mervyn Taylor is currently Manager of the Hospice Friendly Hospitals (HfH) Programme, initiated by The Irish Hospice Foundation in partnership with the Health Service Executive. He also managed the pilot project for the HfH Programme at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda from 2004-2006. He has worked in a range of capacities across the voluntary, statutory and private sectors.

He has at various times been Director of M.S. Ireland (Multiple Sclerosis Society), CEO of the M.S. Care Foundation, Manager of Planning & Organisation with the NSSB (now the Citizens Information Board) and European Development Manager on the Euro-Trace project for an alliance of IT companies.