'In Treatment' star Gabriel Byrne will be taking on a real life medical role on Monday when he helps launch a new effort in Ireland to encourage hospice and end-of-life care.

Ireland’s cultural ambassador, Byrne, is attending Dublin’s Mater Hospital on Monday November 8,  to thank staff in the hospital for their involvement in the Hospice Friendly Hospitals Programme, and to encourage them to continue their work to improve end-of-life care.

Gabriel Byrne has been particularly forceful in calling for improvements in the physical environment and conditions where people die in hospital. He has also stressed that hospitals, where most people currently die, should continue to make end-of-life care central to their mission.

The Mater Hospital is the first hospital in Ireland to appoint an End-of-Life Care Co-ordinator, initially grant aided by the Irish Hospice Foundation. The hospital has appointed Diarmuid Ó Coimín to this post.

Mr Byrne will also launch the “Final Journeys - Communications Training." This is designed for all staff to improve  communications with patients and their families at end of life.