03/09/2026
As we count down the days to Palliative Care Week 2026, David O’ Connor so kindly shares his experience of attending Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services and the positive impact it has been on his life.
It’s airy and light-filled, with gorgeous greenery inside and out, while staff, patients, and visitors greet each other warmly as they pass in the corridors.
Outside, on one of its tree-lined paths, David O’Connor (59) is posing for this paper’s photographer. Warm and funny, with a mischievous glint in his eye, David is the epitome of grace and dignity as he deals with the life-limiting condition he was diagnosed with earlier this year.
He attends the hospice for palliative rehabilitation, which focuses on enhancing the quality of life for people living with life-limiting illnesses by addressing their physical, emotional and social needs.
What David finds so impressive is that there are so many people working under one roof to help alleviate his symptoms and make life better for him. During his first stay at the hospice, the staff were able to get on top of issues like sleep, pain and fatigue, which made a huge difference to his quality of life.
Palliative Care Week takes place 6-12 September.
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