Illawarra patients are being forced to die in hospital instead of their own homes due to a shortage of specialist palliative care nurses, according to Greens candidate for Wollongong Mitchell Bresser.
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Mr Bresser said the shortage was being exacerbated by the lack of accredited palliative care training courses in the region.
"There's a shortage of specialist palliative care nurses throughout NSW and that's more prominent in regional areas like Wollongong," he said.
"If elected, I would push the state government for a fully funded accredited palliative care training course to be offered locally - whether that be through the University of Wollongong, Wollongong TAFE or elsewhere - so that if nurses want to specialise in that area, they can.
"Currently, they have to travel to Newcastle or Melbourne at their expense for courses, which is a real disincentive."
Mr Bresser said he spoke with palliative care nurses at a recent NSW Cancer Council forum in Wollongong about the importance of proper palliative care in regional cities. Those needs, he said, would only increase with an ageing population.
"Many patients want to receive end-of-life care in their homes where they are surrounded by their loved ones," he said.
"However, the shortage of palliative care services in the community means they are often forced to go to hospital.
"It's not possible for everyone to stay at home but for those who can and would like to, then we should be doing everything possible to allow that."
However, NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner said the Baird government had delivered enhanced palliative care services.
Ms Skinner said in 2012, the NSW government had committed an additional $35 million over four years to improve access to community based care options.
"Through the NSW government's Last-Days-Of Life Home Support Service patients, and their families and carers receive a tailored package to support a safe and comfortable end of life at home for patients who wish to die at home," she said.
"These packages include personal care and domestic assistance, giving families and carers confidence and time to support their loved ones. This service has been available in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District since May 2014 and more than 130 people have since been assisted with a package of support."
Ms Skinner said the NSW Ministry of Health offered scholarships for NSW Health nurses to undertake postgraduate studies across a wide range of clinical areas, including palliative care.
lwachsmuth@fairfaxmedia.com.au
