The Andrews Labor Government is ensuring that people in regional Victoria can access high quality and compassionate end-of-life care, closer to home.
Minister for Health Jill Hennessy today announced the second round of the Andrews Labor Government’s popular Regional Health Infrastructure Fund will open next Monday and, for the first time, be expanded to include publicly funded community palliative care services.
The $200 million fund – the largest of its kind in Victorian history – will rebuild rural and regional hospitals to ensure all Victorians can access the high quality care and facilities they need, no matter where they live.
In addition to palliative care services, the second round includes all health, community health, aged care, women’s health and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations.
Grants can be used to build new or remodel existing facilities to provide greater comfort for patients and enable doctors and nurses to deliver safer and more efficient care.
Health services can also apply to buy equipment including furniture, fittings, and medical equipment or upgrade essential infrastructure such as plant equipment, systems to reduce power and water usage and information and communications technology.
This boost for palliative care is part of a suite of reforms to ensure every Victorian has access to the best possible end-of-life care. Last year, the Andrews Labor Government launched a new End-of-Life and Palliative Care Framework to better support end-of- life choices.
Earlier this year we also announced a $5 million equipment fund for palliative care with a focus on giving services the tools they need to support people and carers to provide care at home.
The Victorian Budget 2017/18 provided an extra $1.67 billion to support hospitals and health services to meet demand, including palliative care services, respond to family violence and provide the high quality care Victorian patients deserve in their own communities, now and into the future.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy
“We’re putting patients first and revamping our rural and regional health services so more patients can be treated sooner, closer to home.”
“We are supporting more people in regional Victoria with a terminal illness to be cared for, and die, in their place of choice.”
“Every Victorian should be able to access compassionate end-of-life care. This fund will make a real difference for patients and their families by improving access to the community palliative care they need.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020