All Ireland position paper on rehabilitative palliative care: green paper November 2025

<p>This position paper on rehabilitative palliative care (RPC) was initiated and commissioned by the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC). AIIHPC is a leading organisation with national and international influence promoting excellence in palliative care. AIIHPC is a collaborative of hospices, health and social care organisations, charities and universities on the island of Ireland. Funding for the position paper, research and the seminar was provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE) in the Republic of Ireland and the Public Health Agency (PHA) in Northern Ireland. The research and development of the position paper was undertaken by the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, RCSI University of Health Sciences and Medicine. </p> <p>The position paper is the result of over six months of research into RPC. A three-part methodology was used to gather evidence and stakeholder insights to inform this position paper: </p> <ol> <li><strong>Seminar and interactive workshop</strong> hosted by the AIIHPC in Dublin in June 2025, brought together nearly 80 clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and service users. The event included keynote presentations, oral abstracts, panel discussions, and an interactive workshop designed to surface key themes and priorities for RPC development. Over 400 written comments were collected during the workshop to inform the position paper. </li> <li><strong>Post-seminar discussion groups</strong> involving a series of six 1-hour discussion groups with 18 participants who had attended the seminar. These semi-structured discussions allowed deeper exploration of key issues, including stakeholder reflections on key issues, healthcare and policy considerations, and audience engagement strategies for the position paper. </li> <li><strong>Scoping review of the literature</strong> using an established method and conducted using international databases and targeted journals to map existing evidence on RPC for adults (+18 years of age) with life-limiting illness. Over 150 peer-reviewed papers were reviewed, with inclusion criteria focused on studies published in English from 2015 to 2025. The review identified models, outcomes, service innovations, and gaps in the evidence base. </li> </ol> <p>A full research report is also available from the RCSI Repository entitled “Rehabilitative Palliative Care: Evidence to Inform an All Ireland Position Paper” </p> <p>This position paper provides a foundation for an all-island approach to RPC. The paper is designed to stimulate collaboration between policy, practice, education and research, with a focus on service development around the needs of people and quality of provision. This approach will ensure that all individuals can live well, and be supported to self-manage where possible, even with life-limiting illness.  </p> <p>This publication of this position paper initiates a period of consultation and further development with all relevant stakeholders to spread engagement and share ownership.   </p>