Speaking after the debate, PCI’s Moderator, Right Reverend Dr David Bruce said, “While it can be all too easy to focus on what divides us politically, it is heartening to see MLA’s come together to call for better end of life outcomes to be included in the Executive’s forthcoming Programme for Government (PfG).
“The true measure of any society is how it treats its most vulnerable. Our submission to the PfG consultation noted that access to good, well-resourced palliative care affords dignity to those reaching the end of their lives and provides necessary support to their families. It is important to realise that many of the organisations, which provide this care outside of formal healthcare settings, rely on charitable donations to sustain their operations. We therefore echo the calls of others for a greater focus on palliative and end of life care within the Programme for Government, which needs to be adequately resourced. I trust that the Executive, and Health Minister take note of today’s debate.
“Our ministers and pastoral care teams, along with chaplains working in hospitals and hospices, count it a real privilege to support and journey with families who are caring for a loved one coming towards the end of their life. Our experience from sitting beside countless bedsides is that social, emotional, financial and spiritual factors are all important components which can contribute to a peaceful and dignified death.
Dr Bruce continued, “It goes without saying that restrictions placed on all of society over the past year to combat Covid-19 have been particularly difficult for clergy of all denominations to care for and support those experiencing bereavement. In these difficult times, it is our prayer that those who have lost loved ones know the peace of God that transcends all understanding, and the compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is new every morning.”