Palliative care to be boosted in state budget after Perrottet promise
When opposing a bill to legalise euthanasia, Dominic Perrottet said better palliative care was the answer. Here’s what he’s planning for the next five years of end-of-life care.
NSW
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Palliative care patients in NSW will get access to better care and pain management services as part of a $743 million budget boost over the next five years.
The extra cash will deliver an extra 600 health staff across the state to support patients in their final stage of life, and comes on top of $300 million the state government spends each year on palliative care.
The package includes $650 million to employ nurses, allied health professionals, doctors and support staff to help patients in end-of-life care. Access to pain management services will be improved for people with life-limiting illnesses, as will services for people with late stage chronic and degenerative conditions.
Outpatient and community health services will be improved, along with virtual care, transport and equipment programs.
A further $93 million will redevelop and refurbish NSW Health facilities, including establishing new dedicated palliative care units at Westmead and Nepean Hospitals.
The announcement delivers on a pledge from Premier Dominic Perrottet who, during the voluntary assisted dying debate last year, said his government could do more to deliver better palliative care for terminally ill patients at the end of their life.
“We’re committed to ensuring NSW has the best palliative care services and support in Australia, if not the world,” Mr Perrottet said last night.
“This is about providing the greatest possible comfort and dignity to people who are at the end of their life, whether that’s in hospital, at home or in the wider community, right across the state.”
Treasurer Matt Kean said the money “will improve access to new treatments, world-leading pain management services and medications, and community-based services to reduce unnecessary stays in hospitals”.
Originally published as Palliative care to be boosted in state budget after Perrottet promise
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