South-west providers have welcomed a report produced by a Victorian parliamentary inquiry into end of life care that recommended better access for people in regional and rural areas.
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The inquiry consulted with south-west care providers last year including South West Healthcare, Warrnambool and District Community Hospice, Portland District Health Service and Western District Health Service, Hamilton.
South West Healthcare’s acting nurse consultant coordinator for the palliative care team Andrea Janes said the recommendations that stemmed from the report had addressed the contributions made by her organisation.
“The issues we discussed from a regional perspective have been picked up in their summary of recommendations,” she said.
Ms Janes said the most crucial issue for South West Healthcare was the provision of care around the region.
“It’s very different what people in Warrnambool can access as opposed to other people around the region, even within our service there is inequality,” she said.
She said the care provided around the region included in home support, after hours support, nursing care and respite care.
“Ideally we should be able to provide the same support and service to any patient on our program, but that is currently based on place of residency,” Ms Janes said.
Ms Janes said she hoped the recommendations would be considered by the Department of Health and Human Services and implemented.
The report made 49 recommendations, including increasing regional and rural communities’ access to community palliative care services and reliable respite care services.
The report also recommended the legalisation of assisted dying for people suffering serious and incurable illnesses.
“The introduction of assisted dying laws should form part of a much broader reform that gives greater prominence to end of life care,” the chair of the Legal and Social Issues Committee, Edward O’Donohue, said.
“This is essential to a patient centred approach with choice for those who need it and comfort for all.
“The committee is indebted to the many medical, legal and other experts and organisations who shared their knowledge, expertise and experience in over 1000 submissions and at hearings and meetings across Victoria.”
