Warrnambool and District Community Hospice president Eric Fairbank said the model, which places trained volunteers to help care for the terminally ill and allow them die at home, was gaining traction. 

“Interest in this model has been shown by Bellarine Peninsula, South Eastern Palliative Care, Mount Gambier, Grampians, Shepparton and Sale,” Dr Fairbank said.

The Warrnambool model has also been backed up by the state government’s new end of life framework that puts emphasis on preparing for the end of life and improved community services to help people die at home. 

“It is pleasing that this fits in with our own vision, and has been confirmed as sound policy by numerous studies and reports on the topic over recent times,” Dr Fairbank said in the organisation’s annual report.

“The need to gather data, and review our performance, is recognised if hospice in the home is to be an acknowledged player in the end of life framework.”

Hospice in the home began in July 2015 and has 47 trained volunteers, but demand was increasing.

“Therefore a fourth training course commenced on October 19 to add to their numbers, including a couple more males,” he said.

“Without our volunteers, hospice in the home would not exist. A vote of sincere thanks is owed to them for putting themselves forward to help others, often at inconvenient times of the day and night.”