Sue Boyce
Liberal Senator for Queensland
On June 22, 2011 I tabled a petition in the Senate - signed by thousands of Australians -calling upon government, both state and federal, to give greater priority and resources to palliative care. I would like to thank those 4,180 concerned Australians who signed this petition.
The right to die in comfort, with the minimum of pain and the maximum of care is a fundamental human right that is not available to all Australians. Palliative care services especially those that are community based are seriously under funded and under staffed in Australia.
The adequate provision of this care to all who may need it is not only a fundamental health care need but it would also reduce the rush to legalise assisted suicide. If we as a society believe in the concept of death with dignity we should be investing in quality modern palliative care, not encouraging suicide. Yet in 2011 access to community care for people with eventually fatal conditions is both limited and inconsistent.
This is aggravated by limited access to appropriately trained and resourced health workers, leading to unnecessary hospitalisations when carers are overwhelmed by care requirements, or patients are unable to access appropriate pain and symptom relief from community providers.
The end of life care needs of ageing Australians are not being well met under the current arrangements for both community and residential aged care. There are numerous opportunities for improvement through training, revision of funding instruments and enhancement of integration of service provision.
Please distribute the petition below widely and collect as many supporting signatories as you can. Original signed petitions should be returned to PO Box 143, Albion Qld 4010.
Thank you for your attention and support.
The right to die in comfort, with the minimum of pain and the maximum of care is a fundamental human right that is not available to all Australians. Palliative care services especially those that are community based are seriously under funded and under staffed in Australia.
The adequate provision of this care to all who may need it is not only a fundamental health care need but it would also reduce the rush to legalise assisted suicide. If we as a society believe in the concept of death with dignity we should be investing in quality modern palliative care, not encouraging suicide. Yet in 2011 access to community care for people with eventually fatal conditions is both limited and inconsistent.
This is aggravated by limited access to appropriately trained and resourced health workers, leading to unnecessary hospitalisations when carers are overwhelmed by care requirements, or patients are unable to access appropriate pain and symptom relief from community providers.
The end of life care needs of ageing Australians are not being well met under the current arrangements for both community and residential aged care. There are numerous opportunities for improvement through training, revision of funding instruments and enhancement of integration of service provision.
Please distribute the petition below widely and collect as many supporting signatories as you can. Original signed petitions should be returned to PO Box 143, Albion Qld 4010.
Thank you for your attention and support.
Palliative Care