More Tassie home palliative care

More palliative care services will be delivered to Tasmanians in their own homes over the next four years following a recent $50 million investment by the federal government.

Federal Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, announced the funding for palliative care in Tasmania was now available for service providers as part of the government’s Tasmanian Health Assistance Package.

Minister Butler said while talking about end of life care was difficult, it was critical that the health system was responding to the needs of people in the final stages of life.

“We’re talking about people in their most vulnerable state who deserve dignity, respect and care provided according to their wishes,” Mr Butler said.

“We’ve asked local palliative care service providers to apply for a Commonwealth grant to deliver community based palliative care and infrastructure-support services,” he said.

Minister Butler added the new funding would help services provide home based care and offer more choice of treatment for people who have life limiting illness and are nearing the end of their lives.

Most people who need palliative care prefer to stay at home, rather than be moved to a hospital, he claimed.

“This funding will ensure more patients, and their families and carers have choice about how these services are delivered.”

Provided under the federal government’s Better Access to Palliative Care in Tasmania program, the funding would also help strengthen professional and volunteer workforces in the field.

The grant application round opened on 23 April to all private and non government providers of palliative care services and closes this Thursday (30 May).

Visit the Grants and Tenders page on Department of Health and Ageing website for more information on the initiative.