Parkinson's Ireland and the Irish Hospice Foundation have joined health organisations across Ireland to launch Palliative Care Week 2026. Running from September 6 to September 12, the annual campaign seeks to improve public understanding of palliative care, expand community and hospital support frameworks, and encourage earlier access for patients managing long-term conditions.

Coordinated nationally by the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC), this year's campaign centers on the theme "It's Not What You Think." Organisers aim to dismantle persistent myths that palliative care is exclusively reserved for end-of-life stages. Instead, advocacy groups highlight that palliative care can be introduced shortly after diagnosis alongside active treatments to manage physical symptoms, offer psychological support, and enhance overall quality of life.

Throughout the week, participating organisations are delivering educational workshops, online guidance resources, and information sessions for patients, family carers, and healthcare professionals. The initiatives highlight accessible services including community nursing supports, specialist helplines, and respite options designed to assist families facing neurodegenerative and life-limiting illnesses.