Charlotte Varcoe
A MOVEMENT to transform the former Mount Gambier Private Hospital Inc space into a specialised palliative care ward is gaining momentum as a community-led push aims to secure improved privacy and comfort for palliative patients.
Among those calling for change is Mount Gambier resident and palliative care advocate Jane Qualmann, who believed there was no dignity for patients without the specific palliative care rooms.
It follows the Limestone Coast Coast Palliative Care Services Team recording 203 referrals for the service in 2020, compared to the 67 recorded in 2010.
“We want palliative care patients to be able to pass on peacefully in a private room surrounded by their friends, family and special possessions but this is not available at the moment,” Ms Qualmann said.
She said those receiving care would be able to receive more comfortable care in a private room, while also having the privacy to express their pain.
Fellow advocate and former palliative care nurse Ruth Mott said these services were necessary within the region for families, as well as patients.
“I not only want to see more palliative care services but also specially trained nurses for the region,” Ms Mott said.
“When I was a palliative care nurse the hardest thing for families was to be with a patient when they had pain and the experience the families had when things were not going smoothly such as when a patient’s breathing suddenly changed.”
She said developing specific rooms for palliative care also allowed for families of the patients to grieve in a safe and caring environment.
In Home Hospice Care chairperson Maureen Klintberg said she was disappointed with the current palliative care services within the region.
Ms Klintberg said Mount Gambier must have appropriate services for the community and labelled the current outcome as unsatisfactory.
“We know that 70pc of the population has indicated they wish to die at home and it is only fair that we want increased palliative care services which as such anticipate less unnecessary hospitalisation of clients,” Ms Klintberg said.
“South Australia has one of the highest rates of hospitalisation for palliative care patients and so we need better contribution to outreach services because telehealth is not enough.”
She said the recently-established hospice care service – which consists of volunteers – had received feedback from patients at home that existing outreach services were not satisfactory and telehealth was not the services needed during out of hours care.
Separate palliative care rooms would be an opportunity for the region with Health Minister Stephen Wade supporting the initiative.
Mr Wade said there was a desire to not lose the private patient engagement but opportunities were open for specialised palliative care.
“There are a high number of palliative care units being established in hospitals across the state but in different models and options which we will have to consider,” Mr Wade said.
“We would also need to consider if the palliative care rooms were too close to acute patients but I support the idea as there are benefits to having discrete spaces.”
Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell supported the motion for better palliative care services within the region stating those requiring medical assistance may be in need of medical professionals in hospital thus leading to the need for specialised services.
“We need a space with garden views where family and friends can feel comfortable visiting and beloved pets can make visits,” Mr Bell said.
“They deserve a choice of environments and support with a smooth transition process when this time comes and for some this may be a home environment and for others, they will feel more comfortable in a hospital or unit dedicated to the purpose of end-of-life care.”
Shadow Health Minister Chris Picton said he was aware of community concerns and supported the enquiry into better palliative care services.
“Palliative care services need to be a priority for the government and we need to improve the services in the area,” Mr Picton said.
“We are hoping to have a detailed look into regional South Australia and other areas within the state which are having issues in the sector and are well worth proper consideration.”
Labor MP Tony Piccolo also called for an investigation into the services last week during state parliament for the statewide issue.
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