SNF is supporting St. Francis Hospice Dublin (SFH) in expanding access to community-based early palliative care through the expansion of its innovative Outpatient and Day Service (OPDS) program. This expansion responds to a rising demand for compassionate, person-centered care for individuals with life-limiting illnesses in North Dublin, particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities, where access to specialist services remains limited.
As the population ages and rates of chronic illness increase, the need for timely palliative care continues to grow. Since its launch in 2022, the OPDS has recorded a 117% increase in patient attendance, observing improvements in symptom management, quality of life, and a reduction in unnecessary hospital admissions. The program is built around a multidisciplinary model that offers holistic support in outpatient and home settings, helping patients maintain independence and dignity for as long as possible.
Beyond its clinical impact, SFH is recognized as a national leader in shaping palliative care policy and practice in Ireland. The hospice plays an active role in professional education and international collaboration, and its OPDS model, which is centered on early intervention, interdisciplinary care, and cultural inclusivity, is gaining recognition across the UK and Europe as a scalable blueprint for community-based palliative care.
With SNF’s support, SFH will strengthen the OPDS team by recruiting a Clinical Nurse Specialist dedicated to its heart failure program, one of the region’s top health priorities. This role will improve care coordination, enable earlier intervention, and help bridge the gap between outpatient and community-based care.
The expanded team will be able to carry out more initial assessments for patients referred by the community palliative care team, provide follow-up for those attending medical outpatients, and take on more complex cases. This targeted support is expected to improve outcomes for approximately 800 patients each year living with serious conditions such as heart failure, dementia, and respiratory disease.
SNF’s support will accelerate this essential service expansion, strengthening a high-impact model that is already transforming palliative care in Ireland, improving lives today and laying the groundwork for greater access to quality end-of-life care in the future.