Approximately half of the adult population of Orange made Palliative Care my mission when I tabled their 10,000-signature petition to NSW Parliament, whom they called upon to deliver our city a dedicated palliative care facility.
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I remain steadfast in my commitment to pursuing delivery of a dedicated palliative care facility for Orange.
Since the petition was tabled, I debated the issue in the Legislative Assembly.
The Minister for Health Brad Hazzard’s contribution to the debate clearly indicated the Nationals/Liberal Government would not be delivering a dedicated palliative care facility for Orange.
I have chaired a Palliative Care Working Group which I founded a year ago to establish the needs and conceive various models that would deliver those needs to our community.
The Working Group comprises representatives of local stakeholders, including medical practitioners and the Local Health District.
I am pleased to report that the Working Group have progressed a realistic model, stemming from a proposal, which could potentially deliver Orange a dedicated palliative care facility for the short to intermediate term.
The Working Group will continue to collaborate and explore various models that would deliver for Orange’s palliative care now and into the future, to cater for our growing population.
One issue identified with delivery of palliative care was the absence or limited inclusion of General Practitioner (GP) input and involvement in palliative care for their patients.
GPs are vital to this discussion and for the development of a model that best meets the needs for their patients and the greater community in which they live.
The Working Group will host a GP forum on palliative care on Tuesday, May 8 commencing 6.30pm at the Dudley Private Hospital at 261 March Street.
I invite all general practitioners to attend and meet with the Working Group where they can contribute to enhancing Orange’s palliative care services.
For more information contact my office on 6362 5199 or orange@parliament.nsw.gov.au.
VOICE AGAINST VIOLENCE
TOGETHER with my fellow Parliamentary friends of Rugby League I participated in the NRL’s ‘Voice Against Violence’ program.
Former Raiders skipper Alan Tongue’s leadership continues off the field as the champion of the NRL’s education initiative to encourage people to stand up, speak out and take action against domestic violence.
Shamefully, here in Orange the reported incidence of domestic violence is double the state average. As a former police prosecutor I witnessed an overwhelming number apprehended violence orders made and in the courts and heard countless horror stories of victims suffering domestic violence.
I will support any initiative which aims to prevent domestic violence.
This program uses rugby league as a conduit to educate youth and the broader sporting community.
It was enlightening and thought-provoking.
Alan conveyed his passion for this cause and led us through a training session which team-based drills demonstrated actions we can all use in our lives to help bring about the necessary change.
