We are delighted to announce the publication of Sing our own Song: End-of-Life Care and the Irish Community in Britain, findings from a national consultation.
This new report is the result of the largest national consultation in the community of the subject as part of the Meitheal Muintire Irish End-of-Life Project.
The report draws on evidence from community consultations, key informant interviews, digital surveys and a panel discussion and identifies persistent gaps in culturally competent care at the end of life and after death.
Meitheal Muintire was initiated by Irish in Britain and Innisfree Housing Association in response to concerns raised by Irish community organisations about the quality of palliative and end-of-life care experienced by Irish people in Britain.
unmet needs
The report highlights specific and often unmet needs among Irish LGBT+ people, survivors of institutional abuse, people with dementia, Irish Travellers and those experiencing sudden or premature death.
Extended time periods between death and the funeral in Britain, in contrast to Irish practice, can disrupt customs, rituals and the mourning process.
Brian Dalton, CEO of Irish in Britain said:
For many Irish people, dying is understood as a social and communal process as well as a medical one.
Family presence is central, and ritual provides comfort. There is often a strong preference to be at home.
People want their origin story, their spirituality and their history to be recognised in this process, enabling what we understand to be a good death.
Trauma-informed, person-centred and culturally sensitive approaches are essential to minimise distress and enable inclusive and respectful care. The report concludes with four priority areas for coordinated action:
Representation and policy: Ensuring Irish ethnicity is recognised in data, planning and commissioning, and strengthening engagement with national and local decision makers.
Raising awareness and education: Developing understanding of rights, entitlements and advance planning across community networks, alongside culturally competent professional practice support.
Practical provision: Expanding resource advocacy material for providers, individuals, families and carers. Investing in capacity for bereavement support and navigation services delivered through community organisations.
Service development: Innovating and scaling culturally sensitive palliative and end-of-life care models, particularly home-based, trauma-informed and community-led approaches.
We aim to spread examples of good practice but also to seek support for solutions to the challenges the report identifies. The consultation and this report are just the first steps and we are very grateful to everyone who has contributed in many different ways so far.
Dignity at the end of life is a universal issue. We welcome working alongside others committed to improving end-of-life care for the Irish community and wider society.
See page turner version of the report HERE
Open PDF version of full report HERE.
Go to the Meitheal Muintire Irish End-of-Life Care Project page HERE.