The current mission statement of Donegal Hospice is: to provide
comprehensive physical, emotional and spiritual care for individuals and
families promoting the highest quality of living during life-limiting illness
and bereavement.
It is not just about the individual,
nor is it just about medical intervention, but is about identifying what is
appropriate in each individual case and providing a range of support services
that are appropriate to that person and their individual circumstances. These
may involve the Home Care team providing support at home; it may be a short
period in the Hospice to provide symptom control; or it may involve the Day
Care Unit providing opportunities for social contact with other people in
similar circumstances who understand and are willing to share.
The idea of a Donegal Hospice was generated by the
enthusiasm of a small group of local people back in 1988, who undertook the
project of voluntarily raising funds for the first Home Care Nurse in Donegal.
Things have come a long way since then. There is now a dedicated 8 bedded unit
at Knocknamona in Letterkenny, providing a range of inpatient and day care
services as well a Home Care team comprising 5 Nurses providing direct support
in the home and wider community.