Tasmania’s Minister for Health has today announced the release of the state’s second Palliative Care Progress Report as part of Tasmania’s five-year care strategy.
“The Tasmanian Liberal Government is committed to ensuring that people have the best possible quality care at end of life and that their families and carers receive the support they need,” said Minister Sarah Courtney.
“I am pleased to announce that today the State Government has taken important new steps in implementing the palliative care policy framework, Compassionate Communities – through the release of the second Palliative Care Progress Report.”
The Compassionate Communities framework is a five-year strategy that aims to provide a whole-of-community approach to palliative care and embed national standards and best practice approaches to palliative care.
“To ensure Tasmania’s community has access to equitable, high quality palliative care we must work in partnership with all involved to provide a person-centred care service. This includes patients, health professionals, community organisations, volunteers, carers and family,” said Ms Courtney.
She said the Department of Health was working closely with the Partners in Palliative Care Reference Group in implementing the state-wide palliative care policy framework and supporting improvements in the key priority areas.
“This is in addition to the establishment of a Bereavement Care Network across the State, as noted in the previous progress report.”
“In this year’s Budget, we have provided $800,000 towards the continuation of three Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Educators across the State, and have also committed $1 million over two years towards Tasmania’s palliative care peak body, Palliative Care Tasmania – to allow them to continue their outstanding work and advocacy in End of Life Care education and support, as well as improved community access to palliative care services.
“We want to deliver more care in the right place, at the right time, and will work with local clinicians, key stakeholders and consumers to meet the health needs of our community,” the Minister said.
