SIX months after the sudden closure of a medical ward at Orange hospital that cared for palliatively ill patients, the Orange Health Service is still waiting on any benefits of a $35 million statewide palliative care package.
The package was announced by NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner in September and designed to provide support for people who wish to die at home.
Western Local Health District (WLHD) cancer and innovative services director Ruth Jones said Orange was still waiting to finalise details of a contract it has drawn up with HammondCare to provide care workers for families caring for someone with a terminal illness at home…read more