Pavey Questions Della’s Deletion of Palliative Care Position

14 May 2009

In question time today, Health Minister John Della Bosca agreed to get back to Duty Member for Port Macquarie Melinda Pavey as soon as possible about the details of his harsh decision to cut the Palliative Care Volunteer Coordinator position at Port Macquarie Base Hospital.

The incompetent NSW Labor Governments recent axing of the Palliative Care Volunteer Coordinator position is yet another example of how this administration has got its priorities all wrong.

“This essential position organises the 25 palliative care volunteers who give up their time to provide support and care to people when they are severely sick or dying,” Mrs Pavey said.

“The Palliative Care Support Group who have been ignored by the out of touch Minister for Health John Della Bosca, say that without this position the palliative care service will fold.

“This will result in the home patients having to be admitted to the hospital, which will result in extra financial costs being incurred by the health service.

“This brutal decision by this inexperienced Labor Government has already resulted in the resignation of five volunteers as well as the training program being ceased.

“Without the volunteers, their workload will be transferred to the already overworked nursing staff, exerting even more pressure on the beleaguered health service.

“What makes matters worse is that the Health Minister John Della-Bosca has been trying to cover up this brutal decision, and has failed to take any responsibility for axing this essential position,” Mrs Pavey said.

Mr Della Bosca stated in a letter to the Member for Port Macquarie in April 2009 that the Labor Government has “no plan to discourage the volunteer service and would like to advise that the NCAHS will continue to support the service”.

“Mr Della Bosca is being loose with the truth, as he is referring only to the volunteers, not to the paid coordinator position which he has deleted,” Mrs Pavey said.

“The volunteers are imperative to Port Macquarie hospital but the failing Labor Government is being ruthless and cutting it, even though it costs them almost nothing.

“This is nothing short of penny pinching from the sick and dying.

“In contrast, the Liberal/Nationals plan to put NSW health services back on track by focusing on putting people first.

“We are focused on restoring quality of life for the people of Port Macquarie, and will continue to hold the Labor Government to account,” Mrs Pavey said.