Patients, families and carers will soon benefit from refurbishments to palliative care facilities at Deniliquin Hospital thanks to a $210,000 boost from the NSW Government.
NSW Minister for Mental Health, Regional Youth and Women Bronnie Taylor said the refurbishment project at Deniliquin will help bring comfort to people at the end of life, along with their families and carers.
“Ensuring that patients, their families and carers receive quality palliative care in a safe, comfortable and home-like environment is a priority for this government,” Mrs Taylor said.
“The refurbishment will include a kitchenette and dining area, as well as direct access to the outside garden area. The furniture and fittings and overall décor will provide a more homely and comfortable space for patients, families, carers and friends.”
The garden area at Deniliquin Hospital will also be redesigned and will include elements that reflect the cultural diversity of the region.
Duty MLC for Murray, Wes Fang, has welcomed the announcement as an important step in ensuring vulnerable loved ones at the end of life are as comfortable as possible.
“These new facilities with an emphasis on homeliness will offer more peace to patients, families and carers at their greatest time of need” Mr Fang said.
The other facility in Murrumbidgee Local Health District to benefit is Hay Hospital, which will receive $40,000. The improvements at Hay Hospital will include an outdoor area with gazebo to support the existing Palliative Care space.
Deniliquin and Hay Hospitals are among 34 palliative care facilities to be refurbished over the next two years, a total of $5.5 million investment across NSW.
Every year, the NSW Government spends more than $220 million on palliative care services across the State. In addition to this funding, in 2020-21 a further $16 million of enhancement funding was spent to improve services, including a boost of $7.17 million for 35 allied health workers and 20 palliative care nurses across NSW.
The latest round of funding follows the success of $4.5 million allocated for palliative care refurbishments in 2019-20 and 2020-21. Both funding rounds were a part of a $45 million enhancement for palliative care announced in the 2019-20 NSW Budget.
This enhancement and a further $56 million announced in late 2020 support an additional 5,000 End of Life home support packages available across NSW from July 2021; the recruitment of 100 new palliative care nurses; more Aboriginal Health Workers; digital health to improve access to palliative care; enhanced bereavement services and education to ensure a strong, competent workforce. This is in addition to the $100 million palliative care package announced in the 2017-18 Budget.