The dedication and compassion of palliative care health staff and volunteers across NSW is being recognised this National Palliative Care Week (11-17 May 2025), with thanks to those who provide essential care and support to patients and families during the most challenging time in their lives.
The NSW government says it’s committed to further enhancing palliative care services across the state and has introduced a range of measures to better support patients and their families living with a life-limiting illness.
This includes a $93 million investment in capital works as part of the World Class End of Life Care program, which will deliver new or redeveloped palliative care facilities at five health facilities across the state.
The government says it’s also committed to growing the specialist palliative care workforce, and is employing extra nurses, doctors and support staff, estimated at more than 570 additional full-time equivalent positions by 2026-27.
Extra funding
Last month, the Minns government announced an additional $2.8 million in funding to support a range of initiatives designed to enhance paediatric palliative respite and end of life care across the state.
This forms part of the government’s commitment to increase paediatric palliative care funding to approximately $80 million over 4 years from 2023-24 to 2026-27.
Twelve local health districts and speciality health networks have received additional funding to strengthen specialist paediatric palliative care and improve the physical spaces where palliative and end of life care is provided.
The NSW government has also committed $3 million in funding for the End of Life and Palliative Care Research Grant Program, aimed at improving health outcomes for patients, carers and families with end of life and palliative care needs in NSW.
Gratitude
Minister for Health, Ryan Park, said ‘I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to our palliative care teams who provide compassionate, high-quality care to patients and families in exceptionally difficult circumstances.
‘Our specialist palliative care workforce is comprised of doctors, allied health professionals and nurses, Aboriginal Health Workers and volunteers,’ he said.
‘National Palliative Care Week is not only an opportunity to increase awareness about the importance of end of life and palliative care services, but also to begin conversations with family and friends about how one might to plan for their future requirements, including their own end-of-life care.’
