The government will offer easier access to hospice services for terminal patients. (image: Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Jun. 25 (Korea Bizwire) — The government plans to expand hospice at home services to ensure that patients meet their final moments at home in comfort and dignity.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced a five-year plan on Monday.
The government will offer easier access to hospice services for terminal patients.
Currently, most hospice services involve being hospitalized at a specialized facility. Under the new plan, hospice services will diversify into five service categories.
By 2020, the government will officially introduce a home hospice service where a hospice team visits the patient’s home to provide a variety of services.
There are currently 35 agencies that are testing the new home service. The government aims to expand the number of home service agencies to 60 institutions by 2023.
The government also plans to introduce appointment hospice services where a patient visits a hospital to consult with a hospice team.
Hospice services will cover an additional number of diseases which, currently, is limited to four major illnesses including cancer and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, based on international standards provided by the World Health Organization.
Also, the government plans to establish 800 medical ethics committee by 2023 to better ensure the patient’s right to withdraw from life-sustaining treatment.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
