Local families will soon benefit from an additional funding boost to enhance paediatric, palliative, respite and end-of-life care across the region.
An extra investment of $276,569 from the NSW Government is set to help support a range of initiatives within the Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD).
According to a Palliative Care Australia 2024 report, children with terminal illness from regional or remote areas tend to have a shorter life expectancy than those from a major city.
Now, via the funding, young patients in the Hunter will gain from a plethora of additional services set to fulfil a variety of complex needs.
The boost comes as part of the state government’s $2.8 million investment to enhance paediatric end-of-life care services, ensuring greater equity of access to hospital and community-based services across NSW.
It forms part of a state commitment to increase funding for the sector to approximately $80 million over four years from 2023/24 to 2026/27.
Money from the investment will go towards creating home-like and comfortable multifunctional spaces.
The facilities may serve a range of purposes, including palliative, perinatal, and post-death care, as well as services for children with chronic and complex conditions.
The initiatives supported by this funding will also help ensure families can access a range of high-quality services in a comforting environment closer to home.
This includes improved access to disability-accessible transport and accommodation support for families in rural and remote areas across the Hunter region.
Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said the help was much-needed.
“This funding underscores our commitment to supporting some of the most vulnerable children and their families in NSW,” he explained.
“Paediatric palliative care is essential for providing comfort and dignity to children with life-limiting conditions and their families.”
The funding will also support cosmetic upgrades to facilities and minor improvements to the mortuary, purchase specialised equipment and comfort items, as well as essential repairs and maintenance to create warm, family-friendly spaces for end-of-life care.
Additionally, it’ll allow for education and training opportunities for healthcare staff to equip the with the skills needed to deliver holistic and compassionate paediatric palliative care.
“Importantly, this funding will enable us to extend and enhance a model of care which provides families with much-needed peace of mind, knowing they can care for their child in a familiar, supportive environment during their final days,” Mr Park said.
Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley reiterated the sentiment.
“When a child is unwell, it affects the whole family,” she said.
“And, when families have to travel far from home for care, having a safe, welcoming place to stay makes all the difference.
“The Hunter is quickly becoming one of NSW’s leading health care hubs, and with that comes a responsibility to ensure that families – whether from metro areas or remote communities – have a space that feels like home during the toughest times.
“As more families are uprooted to seek treatment here, it’s important that we surround them with the same compassion, offering the care and comfort they need when they need it most.”
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