NEWLY formed palliative care support group, Manning Valley Push for Palliative has received $15,000 in State government funding.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Manning Valley Push for Palliative was formed as a result of community support for increased palliative care services and is headed by chairperson, Judy Hollingworth.
Judy, a certified palliative care volunteer with the local district of Hunter New England Health, called a community meeting with the support of Dr Yvonne McMaster OAM, a retired palliative specialist from Sydney and campaigner for properly-resourced palliative services in regional NSW.
The meeting had around 100 in attendance, showing the scale of community support behind the need for a local palliative care support group.
Following the August meeting, member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead met with Dr Yvonne McMaster in Parliament House in Sydney.
Yvonne told the Manning River Times following their meeting, Mr Bromhead said he would be speaking to the chief executive of Hunter New England Health Michael DiRienzo, on the need for a dedicated social worker and occupational health therapist.
He would also address the issue of the need for dedicated palliative care beds in local hospitals, an issue, Yvonne said, local individuals spoke to her about at the meeting.
Mr Bromhead recently presented the cheque of $15,000 to treasurer and deputy chairman of Manning Valley Push for Palliative Jim Holdaway.
According to Jim, it is unclear what provision of palliative care services in the area the money will be used for at this stage.
"We have only been around six weeks, and still need to be incorporated," he explained.
Jim said the money will most likely fund specialist equipment, however this will need to be discussed at the group's future meetings.
The next meeting for the group is on Tuesday, October 27 at the Valley Skills for Life meeting room (5-9 Elizabeth Street, Taree) from 6pm to 8pm.
This story first appeared in the Manning River Times.