Ireland's only children's hospice announces expansion plans in Limerick

DURING Children's Hospice Week 2023, Ireland's only children's hospice, has revealed plans for an expansion in the Limerick region.

LauraLynn has announced the plans after light has been shed on the invaluable support it provides not just to children with life-limiting conditions, but also to their families.

LauraLynn's expansion into Limerick builds upon the success of their community-based service in Cork, which opened its doors a year ago. This expansion will bring in-home care services to children and their families across the Limerick region, ensuring they receive the specialised care they need in their own homes.

Since its establishment in 2011, LauraLynn has been a pillar of support for families in the Mid-West region, providing care and assistance to 107 children with life-limiting conditions and their families.

This expansion into Limerick marks a significant milestone for the organisation, enabling them to reach more families in need.

Alison Lane, the mother of Matthew Lane, who attends LauraLynn, expressed her gratitude for the forthcoming Limerick service. She praised the care provided by LauraLynn as a "security blanket" for children and families, relieving them of the burden of traveling to Dublin for essential services and help during times of crisis. The extension of services to Limerick will undoubtedly enhance the support available to families in the region, providing them with a local lifeline.

Marie Lynch, Regional Team Lead at LauraLynn, expressed her delight about the extension of home-care services to Limerick. She emphasized the importance of the organization's mission to support families and children facing life-limiting conditions, highlighting the remarkable 139% increase in referrals compared to the previous year.

Lynch explained, "the extension of our satellite service into Limerick will give families and children with life-limiting conditions access to symptom management, planned short breaks, emergency, and end-of-life care, as well as family supports and bereavement care."

According to the foundation, in 2022 alone, LauraLynn provided an astounding 38,505 hours of hospice care to children and families, encompassing various supports such as counseling, music and play therapy, and targeted therapeutic care. Currently, over 500 children with life-limiting conditions and their families across Ireland benefit from LauraLynn's care and support.

While LauraLynn receives some core state funding, which covers approximately one third of the hospice's running costs, the organisation primarily relies on fundraised income to sustain its services.

As part of Children's Hospice Week, LauraLynn appeals to the public for donations to help families spend precious time together. Those who wish to contribute can visit www.lauralynn.ie/donate.