Details of the unit were a key item of discussion at the Extended Palliative Care Facility Workgroup committee meeting at the Orange council offices on Friday.

Member for Orange Phil Donato who presented a petition calling for improved services to state parliament earlier this year, and Push for Palliative Care president Tracy Wilkinson said the details were being examined while they awaited funding.

Mrs Wilkinson said the unit would be “a very comfortable and compassionate environment” for patients and their families.

“The eight bed unit would also accommodate visitors being able to have somewhere to sit, and rest and grieve,” she said.

“It wouldn’t just be eight beds.

She said it would require staff  of two registered nurses plus support staff.

“The unit would be used for respite, pain management, symptom control as well as end of life care.

“It’s not just end of life.

“You could be palliative for two years, but you might need to pop in and stay for three or four days till they get everything under control and then they send you back home again.

“End of life is normally around two to three weeks, a few days to a few weeks,” she said.

Mr Donato said it was still to be decided where the unit would be located and whether it would be a new-build or an existing property.

“[We’re] looking at the pros and cons of different models whether they be in the community or at the hospital or in the grounds or the precincts of the hospital,” he said.

“We need to work out staffing models, patients, how many patients would utilise the facility and resources and we are continuing to discuss the issue.

Mr Donato said they were still waiting for the state government to provide details on how it will allocate promised palliative care funding.

“We are asking another question of the health minister in relation to the breakdown of the $100 million that was announced a few months back in the budget, wanting more specifics about it, more detail. 

“[I am] going to ask the question when parliament goes back in mid-September, so hopefully by mid-October we will be in a better position to know what it means for Orange and potentially this facility,” he said.