More than $500,000 has been allocated to the Hills to improve palliative care services in the region over the next three years.
The Adelaide Hills Division of General Practice is one of eight divisions in Australia chosen for funding under the Federal Government's rural palliative care program.
Project officer Deb Rawlings said the existing Hills Palliative Care Service, managed by the Community Nursing Service, was excellent but stretched.
“There are two dedicated palliative care nurses, but the service has about 100 new clients every year,” Ms Rawlings said.
She explained palliative care was a specialised service for people with a terminal illness and their families.
“The aim is to provide support from the time the person is diagnosed with a life-limiting disease, through the final stages and afterwards,” she said.
“In addition to medication and various therapies, it also includes psychological and emotional support.”
Ms Rawlings said clients often needed help in working through issues such as talking to family members and funeral arrangements.
The extra money would be used to train nurses, doctors and other health workers in the palliative approach and to assess whether additional specialised staff were needed.
“Our aim is to give people a greater opportunity to be cared for and die in their own homes or local hospital, under the care of their GP,” Ms Rawlings said.
“It’s also important for people to seek palliative care at an early stage, rather than at the last minute.”
Ms Rawlings said that most people preferred to remain in their own home environment and, on average, were able to spend 90% of their final year at home.
She said it was hoped the project would lead to greater co-ordination and use of current services.
“In turn this will result in improved continuity of care for patients and their families and a greater choice in the site of care and place of death,” she said.
The three-year project will include educational programs for doctors and nurses in hospitals, nursing homes and community services to promote a team approach and provide a seamless service of patient care.
Service for terminally ill
- Palliative care is the specialised health care of people who are dying.
- Its goal is the achievement of the best quality of life for patients and their families.
- The aim of the three-year, Federally-funded project is to raise community awareness about palliative care and to provide expanded and improved systems of delivery with collaboration between all service providers.
Article courtesy: The Courier, Mt Barker, 23 June 2004
Posted on 23-06-2004
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