Palliative care services receive funding boost

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17 April 2008

Palliative care services in Colac and Geelong have received a funding boost from the Australian Government.

The Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, today announced that $400,000 would be provided for equipment and refurbishing of two hospices run by Anam Cara House.

“Every year, around half of all Australians are touched by terminal illness, whether as a patient, carer, family member or friend.” Mrs Elliot said at a visit to Anam Cara House in Geelong, together with the Member for Corio, Richard Marles, and the Member for Corangamite, Darren Cheeseman.

“Hospices and the staff who work in them provide a crucial service and it’s important that they be equipped adequately to provide this service.”

“The two wings of Anam Cara House - one at Colac and one in Geelong – provide vital end of life services to people in their communities including short-term respite and support services for carers and their families. It receives huge local community support with more than a million dollars raised through local donations,” Mrs Elliot said.

“I am pleased that the Rudd Government is able to supplement this generous community support with the capital grant which comes from the Government’s Palliative Care in the Community measure, one of the key elements of the National Palliative Care Program.”
“As the name suggests, the measure is dedicated to improving the standard of community end of life care through a range of initiatives and activities – from research and education to communication.”
Federal member for Corio Mr Richard Marles MP said that “today’s funding commitment to Anam Cara House is the fulfilment of a promise made by the ALP during the 2007 election, and reflects a desire on the part of the Rudd Government to ensure that Geelong and Colac residents have access to the important and supportive services that the organisation provides.”

“It is integral for the sake of the social fabric of our region that we in Government do all that we can to aid and assist individuals and families during what is inevitably a difficult period, when a loved one enters the final stages of their life; and this funding is a reflection of our desire to provide that support to the community.”

“It is also important to acknowledge that the facilities in by Anam Cara House are at the forefront of available technology, and we hope that this announcement will keep it that way, so as to ensure continued access for the people of Geelong to what is a wonderful space for them to utilise as they go through the difficult, but nonetheless important time, in the final phase of their lives,” Mr Marles said.

Federal member for Corangamite Mr Darren Cheeseman said, "People undergoing palliative care, and their families, are dealing with the most difficult times of their lives. Anything we can do to help is something we absolutely should be doing as a Government.”

“The Australian Government also provides funding of $188 million over five years to the states and territories for palliative care and has a local palliative care grants program of $34 million over six years to better support people needing palliative care and their families,” Mrs Elliot said.

For more information, contact Mrs Elliot's office on (02) 6277 7280