Palliative care provides essential care and support to people living with a terminal illness. It allows people to maintain their quality of life in a way that is meaningful to them.

The announcement comes after years of campaigning by Cancer Council NSW and its community of advocates in Port Macquarie-Hastings.

Tim Chapman, Community Programs Coordinator, Lower Mid North Coast at Cancer Council NSW said this was an excellent step forward as funding for palliative care in NSW is so desperately needed. 

“We are thrilled to see the NSW Government taking action in this regard and congratulate them on their positive funding commitment. This is a significant boost to palliative care funding, which will make a real difference to people’s lives,” Mr Chapman said.

“When someone has a terminal illness, they deserve the best possible care and support, whenever and wherever it’s needed. This is why improving access to palliative care in the Port Macquarie/Hastings region is a priority for Cancer Council NSW, and something we have been drawing to the government’s attention for a number of years.”

Access to specialist palliative care is a particular gap in NSW and Cancer Council NSW welcomes the additional nursing and physician positions made possible by this funding commitment, as a first step to addressing the shortage of specialist palliative care.

“In addition to specialist palliative care, one of our priorities in the Cancer Council NSW I Care for Palliative Care campaign is to ensure culturally appropriate palliative care for Aboriginal people. We look forward to discussing with government how this package of initiatives will address the needs of Aboriginal people and families in Port Macquarie-Hastings, who need palliative care,” Mr Chapman said.

“For years, CanAct community volunteers, Push for Palliative campaign leaders and Cancer Council staff have kept the need for more palliative care in the hearts and minds of our politicians, and this response shows they have listened.”