Palliative Care South East’s new Narre Warren facility will benefit from $2 million in funding from the Victorian Health Department.
Palliative Care South East (PCSE) provides critical on-site care and support in people’s home, often when the patients and clients are experiencing considerable stress, uncertainty about what lies ahead for them in the immediate future and when their physical health and wellbeing are in decline.
The new site at Narre Warren will house consulting rooms and space for allied health to support medical consultations and the service’s early intervention program.
In addition, the new wellness centre will support expansion of PCSE patient, client and carer supportive therapy, education and bereavement programs.
The $2 million will cover 30 per cent of the overall cost of the building, according to chief executive of PCSE, Kelly Rogerson.
She said the contribution would be appreciated by the 40 staff members and 50 volunteers who service the patients and keep the facility running.
“The vision is to have a place people could come and gather, and a community hub that could provide specialist palliative care services to promote people living well,” Ms Rogerson said.
“We’ll have dedicated counselling rooms and clinical rooms and be able to provide more education and community support through our education room.
“It is extraordinary and we’re so grateful. It’s a sign of support and recognition for the team.
“We’ve experienced a 63 per cent increase in the last two years in clientele. We’ve been putting resources towards (the new facility) and we haven’t been able to save money on other things as a result.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan was proud to welcome such an important service to his electorate, making the move from their previous location in Cranbourne.
“All Victorians are entitled to high-quality end of life care that relieves pain and suffering and provides support to family, friends and carers,” Mr Donnellan said.
“Palliative Care South East provides critical care for Melbourne’s south east community both on-site and in people’s homes – enabling people to access services as close to home as possible.”
The funding announcement coincided with National Palliative Care Week between 22 and 28 May, Australia’s largest annual awareness-raising initiative held to increase understanding of the many benefits of palliative care.
The theme of Palliative Care Week this year was It’s your right, in an effort to raise awareness of the rights of all Australians to access high-quality palliative care when and where it was needed.
“It’s a great time to have conversations with family about something knew, being open minded to having access to palliative care and supporting and promoting quality of life,” Ms Rogerson said.
The new facility at 80 Victor Crescent is expected to be finished by the end of 2022.
