A-Z Index | Contact the Department | Search Advanced Search

Home > Ministers > The Hon Justine Elliot MP, Minister for Ageing > Media Hub > $14 Million to Support Palliative Care

View by date:

• April
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December

• 2010
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004

Previous Ministers

PDF printable version of $14 Million to Support Palliative Care (PDF 16 KB)

29 April 2010

Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot, today announced $14 million to support initiatives that improve palliative care support and services for patients, their families and carers.

Palliative care is the specialised care of someone who has an advanced terminal illness. Each year more than 20,000 Australians receive specialist palliative care and more than 500,000 patients, carers, family members and friends are affected.

The funding is being provided through two palliative care programs:

• The Local Palliative Care Grants Program - $11 million for 21 grants of up to $600,000 for community groups, health and aged care providers and charitable organisations to provide better practice in palliative care for people with a mental illness, Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias; and
• The Rural Palliative Care Project - $3 million to the Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) for 35 Divisions of General Practice, or consortia of Divisions, to continue to provide coordinated palliative care to patients and families in rural and regional areas.

Minister Elliot made the announcement at Palliative Care NSW which will receive $391,455 to develop a joint project with Alzheimers Australia NSW called ‘Concluding the Dementia Journey: End of Life Care’. This project will provide resources to help people who are caring for someone who has dementia and a terminal illness.

Minister Elliot said: “Palliative care is provided at a difficult and emotional time for patients, their families and friends. This funding is supporting services that provide comfort and dignity.

“It will improve access to palliative care services and information in local communities, providing compassionate care to people at the end of their lives.

“I commend everyone who provides palliative care for their dedication and commitment,” Minister Elliot said.

Information on the successful recipients can be found at:

• Local Palliative Care Grants Program at www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/palliativecare-local.htm and;
• The Rural Palliative Care Project at www.agpn.com.au/programs/rural-palliative-care-program

As part of the Rudd Government’s health reform package more than $1.6 billion has been committed to the states and territories for subacute services including palliative care.

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