Make palliative care ‘your’ business, Abbott

Palliative Care Australia (PCA) urges the new government to make palliative care their business during the first 100 days of taking office.

“We hope that the incoming government will make palliative care a priority and respond to the recommendations made by the Senate Inquiry into Palliative Care within its first 100 days,” Dr Yvonne Luxford, PCA chief executive, said.

The Coalition has already shown their support for palliative care in the lead up to the election, announcing a $5.5 million investment to build Hummingbird House –Queensland’s first children’s hospice, and $2 million for Bear Cottage in Sydney, and PCA hopes this support continues.

“In addition, we are pleased to see the Coalition will continue to implement the Living Longer. Living Better aged care reforms, and look forward to seeing palliative care become a priority under their Healthy Life, Better Ageing policy,” Dr Luxford said.

Palliative Care Australia also thanks the outgoing government for their support of palliative care, evidenced through key announcements such as the $8.6 million investment to improve palliative care support and services in 2011.

Other announcements included $3 million for PCA to run a specialised palliative care equipment loans scheme; support for advance care planning with the inclusion of Advance Care Directives into the Personally Controlled Health Records; and most recently, funding of $14.8 million over three years for a specialist palliative care and advance care planning advisory service.

PCA now looks forward to working with the incoming government and the new Minster with portfolio responsibility for the health area to make palliative care their business, and ensure all Australians have equitable access to high quality palliative care services which support them to live well until the end of life and to die with their pain and symptoms well managed.