Patients, families and carers will soon benefit from refurbishments to Parkes Hospital and Orange Health Service thanks to a $245,000 boost from the NSW Government.
Western NSW Local Health District Chief Executive Scott McLachlan said the refurbishments in Orange and Parkes would help bring comfort to people at the end of life.
In Parkes, the funding will be used to create a larger and more private space for palliative care patients and their families and improvements are also planned for a courtyard area near the inpatient unit.
The Aboriginal Health Worker in Palliative Care will work with the local health service team to create culturally appropriate and comfortable spaces.
“For many people, our hospitals are the best possible place to be cared for in their last days of life, so it’s important we provide comfortable and private spaces and facilities for both patients and their families.”
“Providing good palliative care is a priority for us, and we are working with partner organisations to develop services both in the community and in our hospitals,” said Scott.
Parkes and Orange hospitals are two of 34 palliative care facilities across the state to be refurbished over the next two years.
The NSW Government’s 2019-20 budget commitment also includes recruitment of 100 new palliative care nurses, more Aboriginal Health Workers, and support for digital health to improve access to palliative care.