Expert palliative care to be provided in the comfort of patients’ homes

The NSW Government has announced a new palliative care service which will provide patients with support in the comfort of their own home.

From this month, Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) will benefit from a new partnership with the Silver Chain Group, which will supports patients with healthcare, assistance with daily living, respite care and bereavement support 24 hours, seven days a week.

The service will be available for patients with a terminal illness, and is focused on providing support and care for patients as they enter their final three months of life.

WSLHD chief executive Danny O’Connor said he was looking forward to increasing options for patients and families in western Sydney.

“I’m pleased this service will provide in-home support and make life as comfortable as possible for patients and their families at a difficult time,” he said.

“People should be able to decide where they’d like to spend the end of their lives and this new service gives them the respect they deserve and an option to have their loved one cared for at home with 24/7 support.”

Silver Chain Group Chief Executive Officer Christopher McGowan said the landmark agreement with NSW Health will result in better support and more comprehensive care for the terminally ill.

“We’re excited to be growing our palliative care services in New South Wales by bringing the Western Sydney community a standard of care that is proven to support 75 per cent of admitted clients to die at home, well above the reported national average of 14 per cent,” he said.

“We hear time and time again, that people prefer to be cared for in their own homes and in particular, we know that a significant majority of Australians indicate they would prefer to die at home with their families and loved ones.

“Our new, 24 hours a day, seven days a week service will provide terminally ill people with comprehensive support for the last three months of their life.”

The service design is based on a very successful service delivered by Silver Chain Group in Western Australia since 1982 which has consistently increased the likelihood of patients dying in the place of their choice and reduced their length of stay in hospital.

The service will also include 24-hour palliative nursing consultancy for all aged care facilities and palliative nursing support for patients in the terminal phase of life in aged care facilities where there is a service gap.

It is expected to support more than 8,340 people over a seven year period.

For more information visit www.wslhd.health.nsw.gov.au or https://www.silverchain.org.au/nsw.