More terminally ill Victorians will be able to stay at home with loved ones thanks to a $4 million funding boost to community palliative care.
Visiting Eastern Palliative Care in Nunawading, Health Minister Daniel Andrews said the funding will support an additional 1,500 to 1,700 palliative care treatments.”
“The Brumby Government is taking action to ensure all Victorians have access to the highest-quality palliative care services, no matter where they live,” Mr Andrews said.
“This funding boost will improve access to home-based palliative care for people with a terminal illness.”
“This funding boost will improve access to home-based palliative care for people with a terminal illness.”
In the 2008-09 State Budget, the Brumby Government increased total funding to palliative care services to $78 million, providing almost 3,000 additional palliative care bed days in 2008-09.
“To meet growing demand, the Government delivered an additional $4 million to community palliative care services as part of the 2008/09 State Budget and Victoria’s Cancer Action Plan,” he said.
“This additional funding represents a 16 per cent increase to the total funds for community palliative care services in Victoria.
“Of the $4 million, Eastern Palliative Care will receive an additional $389,624 as part of this boost, and about $1 million will be allocated to rural community palliative care services.”
Mr Andrews said research shows that between 56 and 70 per cent of people with a terminal illness would prefer to spend their last days at home.
“In Victoria, 55 per cent of palliative care clients die in hospital, while only 25 per cent pass away at home,” he said.
“Community palliative care services help terminally ill patients stay at home through 24 hour nursing care, allied health, respite care, practical support and information, equipment and medications.”
Mr Andrews said the Brumby Government’s new $150 million Cancer Action Plan aims to increase cancer survival rates for Victorians by a further 10 per cent by 2015.
“About 80 per cent of people accessing community palliative care have been diagnosed with cancer,” he said.
“The Government aims to increase the number of cancer patients supported at home by 10 per cent each year until 2010, as well as the number of people accessing community palliative care.”