Money for end-of-life care

People at the end of their lives in Horsham and Ararat district will soon have better access to high-quality and compassionate palliative care.

Member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford said East Grampians Health Service would receive $35,557 and Wimmera Health Care Group $8022 to support palliative care.

She said the money was part of a state $5-million equipment fund for palliative care, giving heath services tools they needed to support home care.

Ms Pulford said the funding would ensure more people with terminal illnesses in the region could spend their last days at home with family, friends and loved ones.

“We are supporting people in the Wimmera who have a terminal illness to be cared for, and die, in their place of choice,” she said.

Health Minister Jill Hennessy also announced the second round of the State Government’s Regional Health Infrastructure Fund and, for the first time, its expansion to include publicly-funded community palliative care services.

The $200-million fund is designed to rebuild rural and regional hospitals to ensure all Victorians can access the care and facilities they needed.