The Report of the National Advisory Committee on Palliative Care was launched in October 2001. It was described as a comprehensive examination of Palliative Care Services now and into the future. The National Advisory Committee were asked to make recommendations on the development and organisation of an integrated palliative care service in all its facets, in-patient, home care, day care and outpatients services and furthermore to make recommendations on staffing, education, training and any other matters which relate to palliative care.