❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses palliative care service availability, staffing, demand, and in-home care accessibility in the South West and Great Southern regions. The answer provides details on services, providers, bed numbers, staffing levels, patient numbers, and future expansion plans, highlighting disparities in in-home care availability.
AnsweredQoN 5593Legislative Assembly
Asked
15 October 2019
Member
Portfolio
Deputy Premier; Minister for Health; Mental Health
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to palliative care services in regional areas, and I ask: (a) What palliative care services area available in the South West and Great Southern regions: (i) Who are the providers; and (ii) How many hospice beds are there and where are they placed; (b) How many palliative care staff are based in the South West and Great Southern regions; (c) What is the demand for palliative care in the South West and Great Southern regions; (d) Are existing resources sufficient to meet the identified demand; and (e) Is 'in-home' palliative care available in all regional towns in the South West and Great Southern: (i) If no, which towns have 'in-home' palliative care available; and (ii) Are there any plans to expand this service to reach other towns?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
11 February 2020
Response time
16 days
I am advised:
(a) Palliative Care services provided in the South West and Great Southern include inpatient hospital services, outpatient services, referral to other services government and non-government, counselling, bereavement support and access to equipment.
(i) South West region - WA Country Health Service (WACHS) South West and St John of God Bunbury Hospital.
Great Southern region - WACHS Great Southern, Albany Community Hospice and Hall and Prior.
(ii) Busselton Health Campus - 4
St John of God Bunbury Hospital - 10
Albany Community Hospice – 8
In addition, all hospitals across the South West and Great Southern regions provide palliative care as required should local residents need inpatient care in a hospital.
(b) South West region – currently 11 FTE with an additional 6.0 FTE planned over four years following the Government’s additional funding commitment 2019-2023.
Great Southern region – 4.0 FTE with an additional 8.5 FTE planned over four years following the Government’s additional funding commitment 2019-2023.
(c) South West region - 234 patients, as at 15 October 2019.
Great Southern region – 184 patients, as at 15 October 2019.
(d) Care provision occurs in a variety of settings (hospital, hospice, home) and whilst patients receive the care they require, there is opportunity to afford patients increased access, choice and control. Additional resourcing will enable greater access to care options including the provision of in home care in many instances.
(e) South West region – Yes
Great Southern region - No
(i) South West region – Not applicable.
Great Southern region:
Albany - Provided by WACHS staff Monday to Friday and from the contracted provider Hall and Prior - Monday to Sunday 24 hours, seven days per week.
Denmark, Katanning, Mount Baker and Kojonup have limited in home palliative care support.
(ii) South West region – Not applicable.
Yes. Increased support across the Great Southern region is currently being planned. This includes the establishment of new specialist district palliative care teams comprising of medical, nursing, allied health and Aboriginal health workers and 24-hour support via the WA Country Health Service telehealth hub.
(a) Palliative Care services provided in the South West and Great Southern include inpatient hospital services, outpatient services, referral to other services government and non-government, counselling, bereavement support and access to equipment.
(i) South West region - WA Country Health Service (WACHS) South West and St John of God Bunbury Hospital.
Great Southern region - WACHS Great Southern, Albany Community Hospice and Hall and Prior.
(ii) Busselton Health Campus - 4
St John of God Bunbury Hospital - 10
Albany Community Hospice – 8
In addition, all hospitals across the South West and Great Southern regions provide palliative care as required should local residents need inpatient care in a hospital.
(b) South West region – currently 11 FTE with an additional 6.0 FTE planned over four years following the Government’s additional funding commitment 2019-2023.
Great Southern region – 4.0 FTE with an additional 8.5 FTE planned over four years following the Government’s additional funding commitment 2019-2023.
(c) South West region - 234 patients, as at 15 October 2019.
Great Southern region – 184 patients, as at 15 October 2019.
(d) Care provision occurs in a variety of settings (hospital, hospice, home) and whilst patients receive the care they require, there is opportunity to afford patients increased access, choice and control. Additional resourcing will enable greater access to care options including the provision of in home care in many instances.
(e) South West region – Yes
Great Southern region - No
(i) South West region – Not applicable.
Great Southern region:
Albany - Provided by WACHS staff Monday to Friday and from the contracted provider Hall and Prior - Monday to Sunday 24 hours, seven days per week.
Denmark, Katanning, Mount Baker and Kojonup have limited in home palliative care support.
(ii) South West region – Not applicable.
Yes. Increased support across the Great Southern region is currently being planned. This includes the establishment of new specialist district palliative care teams comprising of medical, nursing, allied health and Aboriginal health workers and 24-hour support via the WA Country Health Service telehealth hub.
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