Calvary Health Care Welcomes Funding for Northern Palliative Care
28 Mar 2006
Calvary Health Care Tasmania has welcomed the federal government’s announcement today of funding for the establishment of a palliative care unit in Launceston.
The Chief Executive of Calvary Health Care Tasmania, Ms Cindy Shay, says the funding follows a report by the Department of Health and Human Services in 2004, which identified a short fall of some three palliative care beds in the North.
“As a result of the report, Calvary Health Care applied for a grant through the Australian Government’s Rural Private Access Program to establish a permanent palliative care unit in the North. The unit will be based on the Standard of our national organisation, the Little Company of Mary, and the Palliative Care Australia Standard.”
The Little Company of Mary (LCM) operates in Tasmania as Calvary Health Care Tasmania. LCM is the largest provider of private palliative care services in Australia.
“The provision of palliative care is one of the key missions of our organisation,” says Ms Shay, and we’re very pleased that with the support of the federal government we shall now be able to offer a dedicated service to the people of northern Tasmania.
“Since our acquisition of two hospitals in Launceston to form the northern campuses of Calvary Health Care Tasmania, we have been keen to add palliative care to our growing list of services to the local community. The Unit will be established at our St. Luke’s campus. It will operate to the LCM Standard which focuses on flexibility and responsiveness to the individual needs of palliative care patients.
“The Unit will be multi disciplinary, providing physical, emotional, and bereavement care and support based on the patient’s choice, individual needs, and requirements. Spiritual support is also part of the focus, again based on the individual’s choice of faith and belief values.”
Some building work will be required, and the designated rooms will be furnished in such a way as to reflect home values, rather than clinical hospital values. Ms Shay said she hoped the unit would be providing a much needed service to the people of northern Tasmania by September this year.
For further information, Ms Shay on 0418 520 983
Modified 10 Apr 2006
