More people with a terminal illness in Victoria’s south-west will be able to get the compassionate in-home palliative care and support they need, thanks to an Andrews Labor Government funding boost.
Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP today announced Southwest Healthcare would share in $3.86 million this year to improve access to community palliative care services for people living in rural and regional Victoria.
The Labor Government is investing more than $62 million in additional funding over five years to support more terminally ill Victorians to be cared for, and die, at home.
In 2017/18, this funding boost will provide home-based palliative care for an additional 1215 people and their families.
Southwest Healthcare will receive $180,330 this year to expand its in-home palliative care services.
That means more locals than ever can access high quality end-of-life care that relieves pain and suffering and provides empowering support to family, friends and carers, when they need it most.
In 2017/18, we are also investing $1.25 million to establish a 24-hour expert palliative care advice line, $3.9 million for additional palliative care physician or nurse practitioner positions in Regional Palliative Care Consultancy Services and $10 million in grants for end-of-life auxiliary support services.
The Labor Government invests around $135 million per year on palliative care services, and has increased palliative care funding each year since coming into office.
The Government has also delivered $5 million in equipment and infrastructure grants for community palliative care agencies to assist them to deliver care in people’s homes.
The end-of-life auxiliary support services grant is available to a wide range of non-clinical informal and ‘grass roots’ ancillary organisations that are providing practical and timely support for people with life-limiting illnesses and their families and carers.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP
“We know most people want to die at home, close to family and loved ones. This boost will give people with a terminal illness in Victoria’s south-west more support to be cared for at home.”
“Local end-of-life care services make a real difference helping people make the most of every moment as their life draws to an end.”
“We’re supporting quality and compassionate end-of-life and palliative care that relieve pain and suffering, giving more people the support they need to die in their place of choice.”