South Eastern NSW PHN today joined The Hon. Angus Taylor MP, Member for Hume in announcing Commonwealth funding to support The Health Care Centre in Crookwell strengthen its integrated palliative and end of life care capacity.

 

Dianne Kitcher, CEO of South Eastern NSW PHN said this funding is part of a broader project aimed at supporting improved capacity, coordination and partnerships between providers of palliative and end of life care in South Eastern NSW.

 

“All local health care providers were invited to submit an expression of interest to participate in the project, and we congratulate the three successful applicants, including The Health Care Centre which has been selected for this round of funding,” said Ms Kitcher.

 

The Health Care Centre will recruit a palliative care registered nurse to implement an integrated palliative and end of life model of care in the Crookwell region.

 

“This position will liaise with the patient and their families and carers, along with their general practitioner, the hospital, aged care facility, pharmacist and Ambulance, as required, to ensure the patient’s preferences, beliefs and values about end of life care are known and respected,” said Ms Kitcher.

 

“The aim is to improve and enhance the engagement of current pathways available for palliative and end of life care, ensuring local residents receive the most appropriate multidisciplinary care at the right time, by the right team, in the right place.”

 

Improved end of life care planning, supporting increased uptake of advanced care directives and improved utilisation of telehealth services where available are key outcomes of the model of care for the region.

 

The Hon. Angus Taylor MP, Member for Hume said that as our population continues to age, it is vital that primary care plays an increasingly important role in addressing this demand.

 

“I’m pleased to see investment into one of our local practices which will help strengthen their capacity to deliver high quality palliative and end of life care,” he said.

 

This project is supported by funding from the Australian Government through the PHN Program.