BaptistCare to pilot end-of-life program
The initiative is designed to help people access palliative and health care at home.
Aged care provider BaptistCare has been commissioned to operate a new and innovative end-of-life care pilot program in New South Wales.
Developed by the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network, the End-of-Life Care Coordination Primary Care Pilot Program aims to help people in the region diagnosed with a life-limiting illness to better access health care at home.
HNECC PHN chief executive officer Richard Nankervis said the specific goal of the program was to support more people’s preference to be cared for and die at home. “Our palliative care needs assessment identified that many people wish to receive end-of-life care and die in their home rather than in a hospital setting. Our aim was to develop a program that ensures people who wish to die at home have access to the primary health care they need to live their last months comfortably.”
Having participated in a competitive tender process, BaptistCare – which operates in NSW, Australian Capital Territory and Western Australia – has been chosen to provide the pilot program across the Newcastle local government area.
“BaptistCare has a long history of service in the Hunter and Central Coast regions,” said home care services general manager Sarah Newman. “We are delighted to be continuing to show our deep commitment to the region through this partnership with HNECC PHN.”
Ms Newman said there were many components in delivering quality palliative care: “Emotional, interpersonal, cultural, physical, spiritual, medical and practical. Everyone can have a different set of things that matter most to them. Our role in the program is to walk alongside people to facilitate access to the services they want and need, and support what is important to them in journeying through this final stage of life.”
The pilot program – due to commence in April – will be available to people 65 years and over (55 years and older for First Nations people), diagnosed with a non-malignant life-limiting illness, likely within their final 12 months of life, and with limited community support.
“Our care team looks forward to supporting people to feel in control and have the practical support and expertise in place to experience a meaningful end-of-life in the way that they choose,” said Ms Newman.
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