SFP Tasmania calls on all levels of government to immediately reverse the decision and fund the Palliative Care Tasmania to continue its vital work in regional Tasmania.

In additional SFP Tasmania calls on the government to seek additional funding to have the unit continue it work immediately, which is an important and essential service for regional Tasmanians.

The recent decision by the government not to continue funding Palliative Care Tasmania (PCT), the state peak training body for care associated with patients with an advanced disease or illness is nothing short of ignorance and a total disrespect for all Tasmanians.

It’s not good enough for the state government to wash its hands and blame the federal government when it’s an essential health service and must be funded. The state government has a poor track record when it comes to health services for regional Tasmanians, this has to stop.

The Palliative Care Team was formed 20 years ago and it assisted to train organizations families and community groups how to best care for the dying. They operated throughout the State with offices in North West, Launceston and Hobart which are all closed with the loss of 9 staff. They have worked with every aspect of the Community from Urban sites such as Aged Care to rural areas, Country Health Centres, Men’s Sheds and the Country Women Association.

It is well documented that Tasmania is an aging population with a demonstrated relative poor standard health status/ outcomes and there is a very real need for palliative care.

It is known that Tasmania has the 2nd highest rate of cancer and also the 2nd highest rate of cancer deaths in Australia. Also, Australia is claimed to be the 3rd high rate of cancer globally behind Ireland and Denmark which clearly demonstrates the seriousness of this health issue in Tasmania and the real need for the continuation of the Palliative Care.

The staff of this unit are highly skilled, compassionate and very difficult to replace. We now risk losing these highly talented persons to other occupations because they are now forced from their current employment.

Sadly this clearly demonstrates the seriousness of health issues in Tasmania and the real need for the continuation of the Palliative Care Tasmania. The staff of this unit are highly skilled, compassionate and very difficult to replace. We now risk losing these highly talented persons to other occupations and overseas and mainland services because they are now forced from their current employment.

This service is an essential health service and SFP Tasmania supports the need for more regional employment in this sector, something which neither the State nor the Federal government delivers.

Already this year we have seen dramatic cuts to rural health services and this further Government cut is indicative of their attitude of indifference to regional areas. It is disgraceful that vital services such as this are cut while politicians continue to access and rout over generous travel expense and superannuation schemes.

This indicative attitude of indifference by government to regional areas is a disgraceful act of betrayal and constant cuts to rural employment opportunities in the sector and this vital service while politicians continue to access and rout over generous travel expense and superannuation schemes.
Adrian Pickin Press Liaison Officer Shooters & Fishers Party, Tas.