Palliative Care in 20 Years Time
10th May 2017
Palliative Care in 20 Years Time: Future Predictions and Global Challenges
What does the future hold for palliative care? How much palliative care does society need?
33 years ago Dame Cicely Saunders, founder of the charity Cicely Saunders International, wrote “The basic principles of palliative care [can be] interpreted in many settings . .. Palliative care is a combination of tough clinical science and personal attention to detail … with the whole family as the unit of care”.
These words seem more relevant than ever as we look forward into the future. The need for palliative care has never been greater, and is growing rapidly. As the population lives longer due to reductions in acute disease, the prevalence of other health problems increases. Patterns of dying will change as chronic and progressive diseases coexist, and the boundaries between being ill and dying will be obscured and prolonged.
The very oldest people often experience multiple chronic diseases, such as heart failure, respiratory failure and cancer. Each illness brings specific symptoms, including pain, breathlessness and fatigue. Along with physical suffering, helplessness, loneliness and marginalisation can too often become part of everyday experience in the final phase of life.
The dramatic increase in the older population and the multiple health and other problems of ageing will put great pressure on healthcare providers. Many more people will need palliative care and support to help them live as well as possible until they die.
We know, for instance, that care in advanced respiratory disease is suboptimal and inadequately co-ordinated, with patients suffering an average of 14 symptoms, plus psychological and information concerns. But we also know that integrating palliative care earlier in the disease trajectory, especially where multiple morbidity is present, ensures patients receive the best possible care and quality of life. The role of caregiving and family support is central.
The Cicely Saunders Institute, which was established as a partnership between Cicely Saunders International and King’s College London, is organising a study day on the latest scientific research on future predictions of palliative care need, and the new developments that are set to revolutionise models of healthcare delivery.
The study day is named in honour of Michal Galazka, who collaborated with Cicely Saunders and pioneered international hospice education through the work of his organization the Hospice Education Institute. The event will include written and spoken tributes from friends and colleagues. If you knew or worked with Michal, please do get in touch.
Event details:
Date of Event: Monday 26th June 2017 (10:00-18:00)
Location: Dinwoodie Lecture Theatre, Cicely Saunders Institute, King’s College London, Bessemer Road London SE5 9PJ
Last Booking Date for this Event: 23rd June 2017 (Earlybird deadline 31st May 2017)
Further information
The World Health Assembly resolution 2014 calls on all governments to deliver locally appropriate, quality palliative care based on evidence based research. As populations age globally, the provision of high quality, effective and affordable care at the end of life is a challenge for high, middle and low income countries.
This all-day meeting will look at the latest scientific research in global palliative care and ask how we can ensure that we can deliver high quality care at the end of life. Speakers will include Professor Irene Higginson, Director of the Cicely Saunders Institute, and Dame Barbara Monroe, former Chief Executive of St Christopher’s Hospice.
The day will conclude with tributes to Michal Galazka, who pioneered international hospice education through the work of his organization the Hospice Education Institute.
A sandwich lunch will be provided and there will be an evening reception to honour the life and achievements of Michal Galazka.
For further details of the event and to book, please click on this link