The remarkable achievement in 2017 has seen the coming together of the key stakeholders of the Local Health District, Orange City Council, and public and private service providers to work together with our group with the aim of improving options and choices for palliative care for our wonderful community.

Most importantly we have the support of member for Orange Phil Donato and member for Calare Mr Andrew Gee.

Mr Donato has been instrumental in forming a task force to investigate the development of a hospice in Orange, and in May this year he presented a 10,000-strong signature petition to NSW Parliament calling on the government to focus on improved palliative care services in the Orange district.

Our group would also like to acknowledge and thank the Orange Health Service palliative care team led by Dr Louis Christie who continue to provide outstanding service to patients and their families who are requiring palliative and end-of-life care.

Over the course of this year it has become apparent to those involved in the task force that Orange hospital operates at full capacity for the majority of the time and there is a pressing need to find a peaceful sanctuary away from the busy environment of an acute care hospital.

Currently the taskforce is exploring options on the Bloomfield campus and within the community to establish a hospice.

The people of Orange and district can be assured Orange Push for Pallliative will continue its strong advocacy work to improve the options for palliative and end-of-life care both in hospital and in the community into the future.

Our group anticipates that 2018 will be productive and exciting, with a model and business plan to be developed for an eight-bed hospice facility for Orange.

Once again thank you to the people of Orange and we wish you a healthy and safe New Year for you and your loved ones.