BARTLETT GOVERNMENT FAILING NORTH AND NORTH WEST IN PALLIATIVE CARE

Designated Bed Shortage Requires Urgent Attention

www.tas.greens.org.au
The Tasmanian Greens today called on the Health Minister to recognise that terminally ill Tasmanians living in the North and North West of the state are seriously disadvantaged by a shortage of designated palliative care beds in the regions.

Greens Health spokesperson Cassy O’Connor MP said medical professional and palliative care support groups agree there are not enough beds to meet demand, yet the Health Minister told Parliament today all is well in the system.

“The Health Minister acknowledged during debate on the Dying with Dignity Bill 2009 last night that there is ‘room for improvement and additional funding’ in palliative care but today she refused to commit the government to a call for urgent funding for an extra four designated palliative beds in the State’s North,” Ms O’Connor said.

“The Minister changed her tune in Parliament today to say the palliative care system is adequately resourced. That is clearly not true.”

“During Committee Hearings on the Dying with Dignity Bill, members heard the constant, recurring refrain that there are not enough palliative care beds or services in the State’s North and North West, and that the terminally ill and their families are suffering more as a result.”

“The Friends of Northern Hospice and Palliative Care Foundation have described the situation as ‘urgent’ and highlighted the situation at Campbell Town Hospital, where a palliative care bed that is desperately needed remains unavailable.”

“The Foundation is calling for funding, and for current palliative care demand data to be made publicly available, as well as calling on the government to commit to implementing the recommendations of the 2004 Review of Palliative Care in Tasmania.”

“The Minister would commit to none of the above. “

“In the interests of terminally ill Tasmanians from the State’s North and North West, I urge her to examine the government’s priorities, and to reconsider her stubborn refusal in Parliament today to acknowledge there is a problem, it’s serious, and it needs urgent attention,” Ms O’Connor said.
Cassy O’Connor MP Greens’ Health Spokesperson