Oireachtas Life and Dignity Group hosts event on Whole Person Care with Professor Tom Hutchinson

(L-R: Senator Rónán Mullen, Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick, Professor Tom Hutchinson)

Oireachtas Life and Dignity Group hosts event on Whole Person Care with Professor Tom Hutchinson
Dr Tom Hutchinson, Professor in the Department of Medicine and the Department of Oncology at McGill University (Montreal, Canada), presented a briefing on Whole Person Care to the All Party Oireachtas Life and Dignity Group on Tuesday, 22nd October 2024. The event was chaired by independent TD for Louth, Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick and was hosted in the AV Room of Leinster House.

Dr Hutchinson spoke about his work in pioneering the approach of Whole Person Care. This concept aims to rethink how doctors do medicine, adding an extra emphasis on healing rather than simply curing patients.
As a healthcare model, it considers a patient’s well-being in its entirety, rather than just focusing on specific symptoms or diseases. It takes into account a patient’s physical, mental, behavioural, social, and spiritual health, and emphasises the importance of collaboration between patients and providers. Dr Hutchinson has been a leading advocate of this approach, has written several books on the subject and has hosted international conferences on Whole Person Care.
The presentation lasted forty minutes and drew on Dr Hutchinson’s work as a medical professional in Canada whilst also reflecting on personal stories and experiences he had during his life and career. Afterwards, politicians had an opportunity to ask questions and share their views.

Speaking after the event, Deputy Fitzpatrick thanked Dr Hutchinson for taking the time to address the All Party Oireachtas Life and Dignity Group (of which he is co-chair) and expressed his personal hope that Whole Person Care can be greater incorporated as a concept within the Irish healthcare system.