Living Matters, Dying Matters: an insight into the changing face of palliative care

Sonja McIlfatrick, Professor of Nursing and Palliative Care, presents as part of the Civic Lecture Series her Inaugural Professorial Lecture

Palliative care is an approach that seeks to improve the quality of life of patients and their families facing problems associated with life limiting illness. Changing demographics, including an ageing population, increased life expectancy for individuals living with life limiting illnesses and the impact of illness on individual’s physical, psychological and social wellbeing, means that the demand for high quality palliative care is increasing. The World Health Organisation recommended that palliative care should be considered as not only a public health issue but also a human right, with calls for earlier integration within the wider health care system to improve access and availability. Yet challenges in achieving this remain. Exploring the reasons why and identifying strategies to address the key challenges facing palliative care across different settings, illnesses, dimensions and times are central to this discussion.