Palliative Care Tasmania, the peak body for palliative care training in Tasmania is closing its doors due to a termination of federal funding for it to continue its vital work.
Palliative Care Tasmania is the only organisation in Tasmania that provides specialist advice to ensure that people are informed about end-of-life care.
“The inability of this organisation to continue its invaluable work falls at the feet of Tasmania’s Liberal Senate Team and their inability to secure funding,” Senator Polley said.
“Senator Abetz, Senator Parry, Senator Bushby and Senator Duniam must now tell Tasmanian’s who need this end of life care that they are no longer able to choose where and how they are cared for before they die.”
Palliative Care Tasmania formed 20 years ago, to train organisations, community groups and families in how to best care for the dying. The Federal Labor Government provided the organisation with $2.6 million in funding to ramp up its programs which aim to provide people understanding around the dying process.
The organisation has worked in collaboration with 250 organisations and community groups including aged care facilities, men’s sheds, Probus clubs and the Country Women’s Association (CWA).
“25 per cent of patients receiving palliative care in the community die in an acute hospital, but so much happens before this. In 2011, Trish McDonald was diagnosed with stage four melanoma in 2011. She was able to access an information course with Palliative Care Tasmania. This course provided insight, understanding and support to Ms McDonald, something which Tasmanian’s will no longer be able to access,” Senator Polley said.
Palliative Care Tasmania general Manager Colleen Johnstone has said that, “without Palliative Care Tasmania, there’s nobody left in Tasmania to fill that gap. It’s causing a lot of concern.”
“Because the Turnbull Liberal Government can’t get its priorities straight Tasmanians nearing the end of their life will not be able to access specialist palliative care, advice and information.
“We have an ageing population in Tasmania and members of our community and their families deserve to have access to support and information. This Liberal Government is denying access to people to be able to access support around the dying process ” Senator Polley said.
The Liberal Senate Team needs to explain to the Tasmanian community why this organisation isn’t worthy of funding and why Tasmanian’s won’t be able to access important information.
SENATOR HELEN POLLEY SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE LEADER (TASMANIA) SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR AGEING SENATOR FOR TASMANIA
