In early 2023, the Cypriot General Health System (GHS) expanded coverage of rehabilitative and palliative care services, though since then the implementation of palliative care services has faced delays and limitations, particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic and logistical challenges.
As of this writing, palliative care services are available only to cancer patients, which restricts access for individuals suffering from other conditions requiring end-of-life or chronic disease management.
Key challenges in the current system include:
- Limited coverage: Access to palliative care is restricted primarily to cancer patients, excluding many individuals with chronic conditions, severe disabilities, and non-cancer-related terminal illnesses.
- Insufficient providers: There are few providers contracted under the new GHS system, which limits patient access to palliative care services. Home care, physiotherapy, and speech therapy remain underdeveloped, with many patients unable to access adequate care.
- Fragmented service delivery: The long-term care system remains fragmented between the Ministry of Health and the Social Welfare Services, exacerbating inefficiencies and disparities in care.
- Workforce and training gaps: The palliative care workforce is insufficiently trained, and the existing quality-assurance frameworks are weak, impacting the delivery of high-quality services. The absence of national regulations for home and residential care creates challenges in ensuring consistent care standards.
- Data collection and reporting deficiencies: The lack of systematic data collection, particularly from private and home care providers, hinders effective monitoring, policy development, and quality control.
In response to these challenges, a draft bill is awaiting enactment in Cypriot Parliament to modernize and regulate palliative care within long-term care. The draft bill includes guidelines for the training, employment, and practice of healthcare workers. It also introduces provisions for the regular reporting of data by all providers, which is essential for improving monitoring and quality assurance. The adoption of the new legislative framework remains delayed but is expected to occur in 2025.