By Jamie Salter
Families with sick loved ones will be able to spend their last Christmas together thanks to some of the unsung heroes of the pandemic.
Local resident Reg Donnelly has end stage respiratory disease, but with the support of Palliative Care South East (PCSE), he will be at home in Cranbourne surrounded by family for Christmas.
Mr Donnelly’s wife Marilyn said 14 people will be attending a long Christmas lunch, including their nine grandchildren.
“We’re having Christmas here so Reg can rest and we just have to make the most of it,” she said.
“PCSE are absolutely fantastic, I registered Reg for moral support for myself as well.”
Mrs Donnelly said it was comforting to know PCSE staff were only a phone call away.
“They ring to see how he’s going and provide suggestions, and they’re really cut out for the job,” she said.
“They’re just so caring and once they start talking to me, I feel more secure in myself.”
PCSE chief executive officer Kelly Rogerson said it was amazing work to be involved in.
“We provide 24/7 support and have doctors, nurses, counsellors and volunteers that help people to stay in their home when they have a life limiting illness,” Ms Rogerson said.
“We help Reg with equipment, support and symptom management so that he can be in his family home.”
PCSE supports more than 400 people in their homes – 140 of which who would need hospital care without PCSE support.
Ms Rogerson said PCSE staff assisted patients to remain at home all year around, not just for Christmas.
“Our goal is always to support people to be as well as they can and to keep them where they want to be – our clinicians are so dedicated,” she said.
PCSE have been lobbying for government funding to complete the construction of a new facility at 80 Victor Crescent in Narre Warren, to help continue services like the ones Reg receives.
Ms Rogerson said $2 million has been requested from the Federal Government and $2 million from the State Government.
“Our service has expanded dramatically over the past few years,” she said.
“Since 2018, requests for services have doubled and there has been no operational uplift.”
Mrs Donnelly said she was saddened by the lack of financial support for PCSE .
“I can’t believe that they have to fundraise for so much money – there’s so many people that would be in the same situation as us and would need even more assistance,” she said.
To donate to PCSE, visit: palliativecaresoutheast.org.au/donate/
