Palliative care for BAME communities

A report released from Marie Curie Cancer Care has found that palliative care in the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities across Cardiff and the Vale is underused.

With Cardiff and the Vale having the highest proportion of minority ethnic groups in Wales, accounting for over 15 per cent of the city population**, Marie Curie has pledged to tackle this issue by launching its BAME scheme to combat the barriers minority ethnic communities face when a family member is diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Research carried out by Marie Curie with local communities  has found that minority ethnic communities are less likely to choose to use their hospice service in Wales because of concerns about language, facilities for religious worship and dietary requirements. The report also revealed that despite being aware of hospices, communities felt GPs can also be reluctant to suggest palliative care options to ethnic minorities.

The Marie Curie Hospice, Cardiff and the Vale, has already taken steps to ensure that people from the wider ethnic minority community know about the hospice, and the services they offer to make them feel comfortable during their care.

Shameem Nawaz, a Community Development Officer at Marie Curie, who is responsible for creating links with minority ethnic communities across Cardiff and the Vale, explained:

“I think it’s a common misconception that people from other cultures care for sick and elderly relatives at home. Things have changed. People don’t always live in the same city – or even the same country – as their close relatives. People are also facing the same economic pressures as the majority communities in Wales. My role was created because very few people from ethnic minorities were using the hospice’s services. The main theme coming back from discussion groups was a lack of knowledge of palliative care services. We’ve been trying to overcome that barriers identified to enable equal access to our services and offer patient support.”

Shameem added:

“For example, in order to make everyone in the community feel more at home, Marie Curie has set up a quiet room at the hospice that has been adorned with religious artefacts that have been donated from the community. This room will serve a communal prayer room for people of every faith. The hospice also has its own chef, so catering for different dietary needs such as Halal food, isn’t a problem.”

Vaughan Gething, Assembly Member for the Welsh Government:

“As Assembly Member for Cardiff South and Penarth I represent the largest and most culturally diverse constituencies in Wales by population size. This mixing of cultures and people from across the globe is part of our collective history and our shared future. Despite the widespread acceptance and celebration of the diversity of modern Wales, there are still barriers to access of end of life care to those in the Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority communities.

“If left unaddressed, this inequality can cause significant problems for people throughout their lives. It should come as no surprise that these same challenges need to be addressed to ensure that high-quality, end of life care services are available for all of our communities.”

Marie Curie understands the importance of making end of life care as comfortable as it can be, for everyone in the community. If you think Marie Curie can help you then call: 0800 716 146. If would like to get in touch with the hospice to arrange a viewing, please contact: 029 2042 6000.

ENDS