11th September 2026
Palliative Care Week is an annual all-island awareness campaign that aims to increase understanding of palliative care and the difference it can make to people living with life-limiting illness, as well as their families and carers. It brings together healthcare organisations, hospices, community groups and professionals across Ireland and Northern Ireland to promote awareness, share learning and encourage conversations about palliative care.
This year’s theme, “It’s Not What You Think”, challenges common misconceptions about palliative care. While many people associate palliative care with the last days of life, it is about helping people live as well as possible through the management of symptoms and support for their physical, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing.
This year’s Palliative care video displays the wide range of services and staff that frequently care for people with palliative care needs.
At its heart, palliative care is about living well, even when health is compromised. It focuses on what matters most to each person—relieving symptoms, supporting emotional and spiritual wellbeing, and enhancing quality of life for both individuals and their families.
Many people think palliative care is only about the very end of life. In reality, it can be helpful much earlier, alongside other treatments, offering practical support, comfort, and space to focus on living as fully as possible.
Just as we plan for education, careers, holidays, and retirement, it’s also valuable to think about our health and wellbeing for the future. These conversations are not only about planning for the end of life, but also about understanding our values, wishes, and what makes life meaningful.
Palliative Care Week invites us all to reflect, learn, and talk more openly about the care and support available. By raising awareness, we can help ensure that when the time comes, people know that palliative care is about living, not just about dying.