The Orange Push for Palliative Care group is hoping to convince the state government to include about $1.5-$2 million for an end-of-life facility in next month’s state budget.
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Palliative care group members are due to meet Health Minister Brad Hazzard in Orange on June 4 to push their case.
The state budget is to be delivered by treasurer Dominic Perrottet just 15 days later.
Orange group chair Jenny Hazelton said the pressure was building on the government with the budget and a state election early next year looming.
“Absolutely, the timing couldn’t be better,” she said.
“We’re really well positioned to activate the money immediately.
“It’s a perfect storm really, having the local health district say [a palliative care facility] is a priority is magnificent.”
Mrs Hazelton said the $1.5-2 million would enable the public-private proposal of having four public patient beds at Dudley Private Hospital to start immediately.
Orange’s case has been boosted by a statement released by NSW Health on Monday as part of Palliative Care Week in which it backed regional care services.
NSW Health deputy secretary Dr Nigel Lyons said NSW Health was “absolutely committed” to palliative care.
“Our top priority is to increase access to palliative care services across regional, rural and metropolitan areas and expand the choices available to people at the end of their lives,” he said.
A spokeswoman for Mr Hazzard said two job-sharing palliative care nurses would start work in Orange next week following funding in last year’s budget.
She said recruitment was underway for a palliative care specialist in the region while scholarships for palliative care training for nurses and staff had been allocated.
The spokeswoman would not comment on Mr Hazzard’s visit.
Orange Aboriginal Medical Service CEO Jamie Newman has welcomed the private hospital scheme, but said the ultimate aim was for a facility in the community away from hospitals.
“Offsite would be more attractive to Aboriginal people,” he said.
“Aboriginal people have a lot of history with hospitals, they haven’t been good in the past.
“I think Dudley would be an option which would be favourable to Aboriginal people. Private hospitals don’t have the history of the public hospitals.”
David Fitzsimons
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
