Belfast Health and Social Care Trust in partnership with Northern Ireland Hospice and Marie Curie has created a new specialist home-based care service for adult palliative and end of life patients in Belfast.

The Belfast Community Palliative Care Hub has cared for more than a thousand patients since it began in April 2025 with the intervention of specialist palliative care professionals ensuring excellent symptom management for patients. This meant avoiding attendance at busy Emergency Departments, reducing stress for their carers, and ensuring dignity and comfort in their final hours.

The Hub is a single point of referral for the Belfast area. It was created following a review of services for patients with Palliative and End of Life Care needs and it means patients are less likely to go to a hospital Emergency Department when experiencing pain or other symptoms.

Palliative care is the active, holistic care of patients with advanced, progressive illness. It aims to improve the quality of life for patients facing serious illness and for their families. It involves a multidisciplinary approach to patient care, with input from medical and nursing staff, social workers, and other allied health professionals.

The Belfast Community Palliative Care Hub currently accepts referrals from clinical professionals and the potential for patients and their carers to self-refer is currently being explored.

Colin McMullan, Interim Director of Adult Community, Older People’s Services and Allied Health Professionals at Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, said: “This project is unique in the region, bringing statutory and voluntary sectors together to provide seamless and coordinated care for the sake of patients in the Belfast area. Courageous, compassionate, and collegiate leadership was displayed by staff of all levels in the three partner organisations who joined as one team to make a difference to the delivery of patient care.

“They set out to address the issues that really matter to patients at end-of-life, including confidence that they are in the right system, that the team is fully connected and communicating efficiently, and that they have easier access to expertise.

“We have ensured there is easy re-referral, using one telephone number, if the patient’s needs increase. We are pleased that we will be able to open the service to self-referral by patients and carers later this year.”

Gemma Aspinall, Chief Care Officer for Northern Ireland Hospice, said: “This Hub brings health and social care trust teams and, for the first time, two hospice organisations together to strengthen specialist palliative care for patients and families, shaped by the voice of service users. By sharing expertise, we ensure care is guided by what matters most to each individual, helping people remain at home with dignity and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions. I am proud of the staff across Northern Ireland Hospice and our partners for collaborating so effectively.

“With over 40 years’ experience delivering specialist palliative care in the community, Northern Ireland Hospice is rooted in high-quality, compassionate care as we grow our reach and impact. Collaboration has long driven better outcomes, and this Hub shows how specialist palliative care can work in the same connected way. As demand rises, integrated approaches will be essential, reflecting our shared commitment to keeping patients and families at the heart of everything we do.”

L-R: Clare Marie Passmore (Service User Representative), Paula Heneghan (Marie Curie), Aisling Pelan (Belfast Trust), Colin McMullan (Belfast Trust), Patricia Gordon (Acting Chair, Belfast Trust), Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, Gemma Aspinall (Northern Ireland Hospice), Dr Grainne Bonnar, Dr Joan Regan.

Paula Heneghan, Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships and Services at Marie Curie NI, said: “We are delighted to formally launch the Belfast Palliative Care Hub today, something which has been a long-term ambition of Marie Curie, and which marks a significant advancement for patients and their families. We would like to express our gratitude to all the partners and in particular to the Community Foundation of Northern Ireland, for its support in bringing the vision for the Hub to reality.

“This new partnership initiative will enhance the delivery of palliative and end-of-life care by providing a single point of access for essential services. The Hub is designed to enhance the quality and efficiency of palliative care within the community. By adopting a more coordinated approach to care delivery, we can reduce the reliance on hospital and emergency department visits, ensuring that more patients receive the care they need in the comfort of their own homes.

“With the growing demand for palliative care services, the Belfast Palliative Care Hub aims to serve as a model for future initiatives across Northern Ireland. We hope this approach will inspire similar developments, ultimately benefiting even more patients and families.”

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: “I warmly welcome the Belfast Community Palliative Care Hub, which is helping people spend their final days where most wish to be – at home, surrounded by those they love. It reflects the belief of Dame Cicely Saunders, founder of the modern hospice movement, that ‘You matter because you are you, and you matter to the last moment of your life.’

“This partnership helps reduce the stress of avoidable hospital visits and ensures dignity, comfort and continuity of care. It shows what is possible when the Trust, Northern Ireland Hospice and Marie Curie unite around the needs of patients and families. I sincerely thank all involved for their compassion, innovation and commitment to improving palliative care in Belfast.”

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