Volunteers are active and important members of many palliative care services. Volunteers may provide a range of support to help patients and their carers and families at this difficult time. This includes practical assistance and respite for carers, or companionship to support a person to die at home if that is their wish.
Most NSW local health districts have palliative care volunteer programs. Local access to training and other support services vary from area to area across the state.
Since 2014 Palliative Care NSW has been engaged to implement a statewide palliative care volunteer support initiative which aims to enhance access to volunteers to support palliative care patients and their carers and families in terms of physical, functional, emotional, psychological, social and spiritual care in the end-of-life period.
The activities focus on supporting palliative care volunteer services, promoting education and training for volunteers and identifying and promoting best practice.
For further information on this initiative, or if you are interested in becoming a volunteer, contact the Volunteer Support Services Program.
