Madam, - Kate Holmquist's article on Doon O'Riordan, whose wish is to be allowed "to live my life, not my death" (Features, May 12th) highlights the challenge faced by palliative care services.
While the Government accepted the National Palliative Care Report 2001 as policy, there is a shortfall in annual expenditure on such services of approximately €90 million.
Multi-annual funding of these services is a critical priority given that 12 counties have no access to hospice inpatient units, and the general failure to provide the home support required to assist families caring for people dying at home.
Doon O'Riordan's generosity in sharing her thoughts on her illness should help to move the findings of the above report to centre stage. - Yours, etc,
JANE BAILEY, Dunmore East, Co Waterford.