CARING for someone with a terminal illness can be an emotionally exhausting and difficult time for patients and their families.
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Palliative care advocate and retired palliative care specialist Dr Yvonne McMaster wants to hear your story as part of a push for improved palliative care services in Orange.
Dr McMaster is part of a recently-formed public palliative care community committee that is hosting a public meeting in Orange on February 26 at the CWA Hall.
“I am hoping on the night that hall will be filled to capacity so we can hear about people’s experiences as part of our campaign for more staff, resources and improved services for people with a terminal illness and their families,” Dr McMaster said.
“I am aware that there are 3.4 full-time equivalent palliative care nursing positions for Orange, but at the moment there is only one doctor and nurse to provide that service as the other positions are vacant for a variety of reasons.
“Even if all those nursing positions were fully functional that simply isn’t enough for a city the size of Orange.”
Dr McMaster said one of the major concerns facing Orange was insufficient staffing numbers, particularly nurses to provide a 24-hour, seven-day-a week service at Orange hospital and in the community for people who want to spend their final days at home.
“While we have invited some guest speakers to give a brief talk, the meeting will then be open for people to tell us their experiences and what we think is needed here in Orange,” she said.
Dr McMaster is not only calling for more specialist palliative care doctors, nurses and allied health to alleviate the burden on existing staff, she says the city needs a “designated, quiet, separate in-patient unit for Orange hospital for short-stay palliative patients.”
“There must be space for families to congregate and facilities to stay overnight,” she said.
Orange Health Service community consultative committee chairman Col Begg said the group had invited Dr McMaster to address the next meeting at Orange hospital on February 23.
“We are looking forward to Dr McMaster speaking with us and keeping the lines of communication going,” Mr Begg said.
He said to date the committee had not discussed staffing levels with the hospital.
“However, it will be one of the issues we will be pursuing over the coming months,” he said.
An Orange Health Service spokesperson said all allied health palliative positions, including a social worker, were filled and recruitment was under way to fill a palliative nurse vacancy.
janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au