There has been quite a lot of publicity about the forum taking place at the Orange Ex-Services’ Club being promoted and sponsored by the Orange Push for Palliative group, and aiming to answer some of the questions that surround the provision of adequate, professional and effective care for patients and families  facing end of life journeys.

We look forward to having a full auditorium to hear what our excellent speakers have to offer on the subject.

As a bit of background to this event we need to be clear about what palliative care is, and what it’s not, what it needs, and what sort of service meets the demand.

The theme for this year’s Palliative Care Week is ‘What matters most’.

The word palliative implies alleviation rather than cure, and intrinsic to that is the capacity to reduce pain levels and assist the patient to have quality time with their loved ones before the final separation.

Death is not a popular word in today’s language. Pass away is much more frequently substituted for it.

However, every human being will encounter death at some stage of their existence. For some it will be hasty, tragic, or unexpected. For others it will come later in life and often be accompanied by grievous illness.

Once the medical professionals have explored and reached decisions regarding the possible future of an ailing patient, ongoing care becomes quite urgent.

Decisions have to be made regarding in-home care with professional support or full time care in a properly established facility.

Acute care and palliative care facilities have different goals and therefore need different approaches.

Euthanasia is merely another name for assisted suicide, allowing opportunities for crime, and contrary to the Hippocratic Oath of our doctors.

Families need to be part of the palliative scene to allow access, privacy, dignity and compassion to become evident.

Pastoral and spiritual carers are an essential part of palliative caring, as also is the presence and involvement of general practitioners.

In the Orange Base Hospital we were blessed in having two dedicated rooms and accompanying facilities, specifically for palliative care patients and their families. Many Orange residents recall these with love and gratitude.

Personally, I visited many people in these rooms and was able to soak up the ambiance and peacefulness that helped them on their final journeys.

Sadly, there is no such provision in our state-of-the-art new hospital, and patients cannot always access appropriate accommodation. The Push for Palliative group is currently pursuing possible solutions for the problem.

More information will be provided at the Forum on Sunday, commencing at 1pm and concluding by 5pm, with a break for afternoon tea around 2.30pm.

Renowned retired palliative care doctor Yvonne McMaster will be one of our guest speakers, along with GP Dr Joe McRae, members of the palliative team of Orange Health Service, legal adviser Tony Cheney, representatives of Western NSW Health District and Ramsay Health (Dudley), and Live Better.

Member for Orange Philip Donato will be emcee. We look forward to attracting many interested people on Sunday.