The Dubbo community has given an ‘overwhelmingly positive’ response towards a petition calling for more palliative care specialists.
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The petition is to NSW Heath Minister Brad Hazzard. It reads: “Please end the shortage of palliative care by funding 10 additional specialist doctors, at a minimum; 129 extra palliative nurses; and culturally appropriate palliative care for Aboriginal people”.
The petition, which is aiming for 10,000 signatures, was started by CanAct and advocacy group trying to change politicians’ actions.
Volunteers were at the Dubbo Farmers Markets on Saturday to drum up signatures.
“The wonderful volunteers who helped to drive the petition received over 100 photo petitions signed, and the response to the campaign was overwhelmingly positive,” Cancer Council Western NSW community programs coordinator Camilla Thompson said.
Retired palliative care specialist Dr Yvonne McMaster said a greater focus on palliative care was needed, especially in areas such as Dubbo, as rural areas were worse off.
“Palliative care helps people to live for as long as they can for as well as they can until their very last breath. It’s really the difference between living as well as you can until you die or suffering until you die,” Dr McMaster said.
The volunteer team will be back down at the next Farmers Markets on February 18, she said.
There will also be a free public event at the Macquarie Regional Library
In addition, a free public event being held at the Macquarie Regional Library in Dubbo on Monday February 27 at 10am, hosted by Cancer Council NSW.
“At the event we will be outlining the campaign and the importance of improving palliative care services in NSW, hearing from local speakers about their experiences with palliative care in NSW, and [State Member for Dubbo] Troy Grant who has publicly voiced his support for the campaign will be in attendance,” Ms Thompson said.
Those interested in attending should call the Cancer Council Western NSW office on 6392 0800.