This work is created in collaboration
with International Futures Forum and financed by a grant of the Johnson & Johnson Foundation.
In the quaint town of Werkendale, Dr. Lucas van Essen, a devoted general practitioner, experienced a moment of pride and validation. Upon visiting a terminally ill patient, he saw his own creation, the 'Palliakit,' in use for the first time. Conceived during his free time, this simple yet innovative kit proved invaluable in practical care, filling him with immense satisfaction. "It was thrilling to immediately assist the patient with it," he recalls with a smile.
Recently, the Palliakit reached a significant milestone: nationwide health insurance reimbursement. The kit's brilliance lies in its simplicity, comprising essential items like syringes, needles, a subcutaneous infusion set, a urinary catheter, gauze, gloves, and crucial medications like morphine and midazolam. These items, though powerful, are vital for alleviating the intense pain of advanced-stage cancer and calming terminal delirium. Dr. van Essen's invention transformed a mere inventory list into a comprehensive, sealed box that simplifies caregiving and eases the last days of terminal patients.
The need for such a kit became apparent as palliative care in the Netherlands grew increasingly complex. Essential tools, now supplied only by wholesalers due to insurance mandates, often took too long to reach patients in critical need. Dr. van Essen, specializing in palliative care, recognized the unpredictable nature of dying and the undue burden placed on families who had to scramble for supplies.
The Palliakit, which can be prescribed by doctors when a patient enters their final life stage, ensures that all necessary items are readily available at home. This not only provides comfort to families but also enables district nurses to administer care without delay.
In Werkendale's region, the kit underwent a modest pilot phase until district nurse Julia Bergmans and pulmonologist Simon de Vries championed its cause. Bergmans, frustrated with the cumbersome process of obtaining palliative care supplies, publicly voiced her concerns. This led to her connection with de Vries, a vocal advocate for dignified palliative care. Together, they worked tirelessly to promote the Palliakit, facing challenges in convincing insurers and authorities.
Their persistence paid off when de Vries's social media post, showcasing overwhelming support from district nurses, led to major insurers agreeing to reimburse the Palliakit. Dr. van Essen takes pride in this achievement, seeing it as a breakthrough in simplifying and improving palliative care. "My concern is always good care for the patient, and it's rewarding to see the Palliakit making such a significant impact," he reflects.