MLAs endorse Marie Curie's NI Charter for People Living with a Terminal Illness

Marie Curie gains cross party support for new charter that promotes the needs of terminally ill people

The leadership of Northern Ireland’s five main political parties joined forces to officially signal their endorsement of leading palliative care charity, Marie Curie’s, charter for people living with any terminal illness.

Led by the First Minister, The Rt Hon Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, the party leadership came together at Parliament Buildings to welcome Marie Curie and to formally show their support for the charity’s charter.

Marie Curie’s ‘Charter for People with a Terminal- Illness’ in Northern Ireland aims to raise awareness of how someone with a terminal illness should be treated and consequently start to  address some of the barriers that can prevent people accessing the care they need, namely what palliative care is and what services are available. It’s estimated that around 3000 people are missing out on the palliative care they need in Northern Ireland, and this unmet need is only set to rise if left unaddressed.

One of the most significant challenges facing NI society is that more people are living longer.  While this is to be celebrated, a consequence of this is that they will be living with one or more terminal illnesses and will have more complex needs. 

This is further challenged by current financial pressures and a health and social care system that is undergoing significant change, but at same time must keep delivering services and providing care for people.

Cross party support for the Marie Curie charter demonstrates the Assembly’s recognition of how important it is to address the needs of people, and their families living with any terminal illness.

Commenting on the charity’s charter, Joan McEwan, Head of Policy for Marie Curie in NI said, “We are delighted that the five largest political parties in Northern Ireland have been able to come together to endorse our charter.  I believe this shows a real intent by these parties to actively promote the needs of those living with any terminal illness and to help raise awareness of palliative care.

“This is important because our health service is stretched; people are already missing out on the palliative care they need and demand will continue to grow as increasing numbers of us will be living longer with complex conditions.  By addressing how someone with a terminal illness should be treated, the charter helps to start the conversation about what palliative care is and what services are available. It can also support our clinicians and service providers deliver the highest levels of care to more people.  In the current climate  we need to  prioritise how our limited resources are allocated and create new and innovative ways to address those most in need.  Surely people living with a terminal illness are one of the most vulnerable groups in our society and must be prioritised as one most in need?

“The Marie Curie charter and manifesto attempts to highlight to key policy and decision makers the actions that are needed to address the current situation and what can be done to better reflect the needs of those living with a terminal illness in Northern Ireland.

“It is the aim of Marie Curie to raise awareness of palliative care in Northern Ireland at all levels.  I believe that in producing our charter and manifesto that we have gone some way to achieving this. I’m delighted our five main parties have taken the decision to champion the rights of people living with a terminal illness by unanimously supporting the charter. ”

 -ENDS-