ORANGE’S Push for Palliative committee members say they have been overwhelmed by the response to a petition in the community during Palliative Care Week last week with 2500 signatures collected in eight hours.
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“The way people have embraced this issue with such passion means we won’t stop until we have a full range of palliative care services in the community,” Bernard Fitzsimon said.
Push for Palliative volunteers hosted petition and information stands in shopping centres last week.
“Usually in that type of situation you have to tell people the story to get them to sign.
“But this just didn’t happen - people zeroed in on us and were calling other family members over to sign - it was so encouraging,” Mr Fitzsimon said.
He said along with the signatures came people’s accounts of palliative care in relation to a family member or friend.
“Some of the stories were quite distressing.
“They were stories of dislocation for families and subtle pressures surrounding how their loved one was treated,” he said.
Mr Fitzsimon said petitions have now been placed at various businesses and newsagencies around Orange.
“If you didn’t get a chance to sign there is plenty of opportunity to come forward in the next few weeks,” he said.
The next meeting of the community group Push for Palliative will be held next week with the plan to consult with general practitioners and specialists to be discussed.
Tell us your story about palliative care: janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au