Cash for palliative care

Minister Butler has just announced up to $3 million worth of funding to help Australians die in the comfort of their own home.

Above: Palliative Care Australia’s CEO, Dr Yvonne Luxford, with the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler.

Millions of Australians will now have a greater opportunity to live out their final wish and die in the comfort of their own home, following the recent announcement of a new $3 million federal government grant to Palliative Care Australia (PCA) for the purchase of specialised palliative care equipment.

The funding – announced by the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, as he officially launched National Palliative Care Week in Canberra this morning- will enable PCA to operate an equipment loans scheme that will provide palliative care patients with access to equipment when being cared for at home.

“This will significantly increase community access to new equipment such as electronic beds, pressure care mattresses and enable palliative care patients to remain in their home close to their family and loved ones,” Mr Butler said.  

“This funding will potentially provide, for example, an additional 200 electronic beds and pressure care mattresses, or 2000 wheelchairs, or 300 hoists and slings.”

PCA’s CEO, Dr Yvonne Luxford, welcomed the much-needed funding with open arms. 

“A recent survey highlighted that of those Australians who have considered where they would like to die, the majority want to die at home (74 per cent),” said Dr Luxford. 

“Now, PCA has the opportunity to provide Australians who wish to spend the end their life with loved ones at home with the equipment that will bring comfort and make this possible.”

The funding forms part of a larger federal government palliative care package, valued at $8.6 million, which also includes $5.6 million in grants of up to $150,000 for 81 local organisations (round six of the Local Palliative Care Grants Program) (round six of the Local Palliative Care Grants Program).

This money was provided in a bid to help community groups, health and aged care providers and charitable organisations to fit out their premises and purchase assistive equipment.  

“The [additional] $5.6 million boost recognises the fabulous work of our local community organisations who offer invaluable and vital care to Australians throughout the nation when their lives come to an end,” Dr Luxford said.

The Local Palliative Care Grants Program is one component of the government’s commitment to improve palliative care support and services for patients, their families and carers.

“It is important people receive the best palliative care available, wherever they live and whatever their circumstances,” Mr Butler said.

“Today’s announcement is a clear indication of our commitment to respond to the palliative care needs of the community.”

National Palliative Care Week (22 to 28 May) aims to raise awareness about palliative care and the services available to Australians of all ages.  

Tags: aged-care, mental-health-and-ageing, minister-mark-butler, national-palliative-care-week, palliative care, palliative-care-australia,

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