“If the local experts in the field, including the leading local palliative care doctors whose judgement I trust, backed a dedicated ward, I’d certainly support it in a heartbeat, but they’re not prepared to do that,” Mr Gee said.

“What the medicos are interested in is pursuing greater resourcing to allow more people to finish their lives at home where the vast majority of people wish to end their lives and looking at ways of increasing hospice capacity at Orange.”

He says at this time there is not enough evidence to show a dedicated palliative care ward would be the best way of meeting the needs of the Orange community and says he has been told there are eight single bed rooms available at the hospital for people requiring palliative or terminal care.

Mr Gee was responding to Cr Glenn Taylor who said in Monday’s Central Western Daily that through a personal family experience at the hospital in the last couple of weeks, he is embarrassed and appalled a hospital the size of Orange does not have a designated palliative care ward.

The CWD contacted Orange Health Service to speak with general manager Catherine Nowlan when the issue was first raised by Cr Taylor last Friday, however no statement has yet been received.

However Mr Gee said The Western NSW Local Health District (LHD) is currently drafting a Palliative Care Services Plan which will look at what palliative care service ‘look like in this part of the world’, including how the service should be structured and how it would be supported.

“In putting that plan together they will be talking to all of the relevant service providers - both private and public and the process will take about six months.”

Mr Gee said he would encourage anyone interested in palliative care to call the LHD on 6841 2222.