Mr SETTER - 1996-02-20
With regard to the implementation of the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act, the Chief Minister indicated a moment ago that considerable progress had been made in the development of palliative care services. That is, of course, part of the requirements of the act. What progress has been made to date with the development of palliative care services?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, progress has been quite impressive to date in the implementation of those initiatives announced in the Assembly last year. The member for Fannie Bay spent part of her holidays examining palliative care facilities in Brisbane. What she ought to do is apprise herself of the progress made here in the Northern Territory, instead of going off half-cocked in her
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justification of how she might or might not support euthanasia legislation. She should not denigrate the good work that is being done now right across the Territory.
There has been the appointment of a full-time manager and a full-time medical officer, plus a part-timer in Alice Springs. There are now 6 nursing staff, up from 1.5 nursing staff previously. There is a full-time social worker, an administration officer and, of course, access to many other services as required to ensure that Territorians receive a coordinated approach to palliative care covering all of the multitude of services that they may require in the environment that they desire. Of course, in most cases, that is in the home.
Palliative care is not about sticking people in institutions, as the honourable member for Fannie Bay would have it, unless that happens to be the only option. The suggestion that we should build a stand-alone hospice for 2 palliative care patients is a little absurd. If she had raised that when she was visiting the facilities in Brisbane, they would have laughed at her.
Ms Martin interjecting.
Mr FINCH: It does not matter where you were - on the Gold Coast or wherever. If you had raised that with an established hospice or palliative care facility, they would have laughed at you. There is almost $1m per year ...
Ms Martin interjecting.
Mr FINCH: What people need to realise is that the facility is now up and running. In the Darwin region, it is located beside 60 Cavenagh Court. There are plenty of signs to help people find it. Their GPs will direct them there and staff at Royal Darwin Hospital will tell them how to access palliative care services. There is still some work to do in ensuring that all our GPs are fully aware of the services and how they can access them on behalf of their patients. There is still some work to do in the bush, in educating Aboriginal health workers and others, although it is on the program and it is moving for all of those dedicated staff out in the bush. Some work is being done in Alice Springs on 24-hour access.
For the benefit of the honourable member and her friend who rang the radio station this morning, if they have a need for palliative care advice, they can call the toll-free number 1800 64 2713. It is as easy as that. Alternatively, if they want to visit, they can go to 60 Cavenagh Street and talk to Mark Donald, the manager of the unit. They will receive all the information they want about exactly where we are in relation to this excellent service. It does not deserve the denigration of the member for Fannie Bay.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, progress has been quite impressive to date in the implementation of those initiatives announced in the Assembly last year. The member for Fannie Bay spent part of her holidays examining palliative care facilities in Brisbane. What she ought to do is apprise herself of the progress made here in the Northern Territory, instead of going off half-cocked in her
Page 1165
justification of how she might or might not support euthanasia legislation. She should not denigrate the good work that is being done now right across the Territory.
There has been the appointment of a full-time manager and a full-time medical officer, plus a part-timer in Alice Springs. There are now 6 nursing staff, up from 1.5 nursing staff previously. There is a full-time social worker, an administration officer and, of course, access to many other services as required to ensure that Territorians receive a coordinated approach to palliative care covering all of the multitude of services that they may require in the environment that they desire. Of course, in most cases, that is in the home.
Palliative care is not about sticking people in institutions, as the honourable member for Fannie Bay would have it, unless that happens to be the only option. The suggestion that we should build a stand-alone hospice for 2 palliative care patients is a little absurd. If she had raised that when she was visiting the facilities in Brisbane, they would have laughed at her.
Ms Martin interjecting.
Mr FINCH: It does not matter where you were - on the Gold Coast or wherever. If you had raised that with an established hospice or palliative care facility, they would have laughed at you. There is almost $1m per year ...
Ms Martin interjecting.
Mr FINCH: What people need to realise is that the facility is now up and running. In the Darwin region, it is located beside 60 Cavenagh Court. There are plenty of signs to help people find it. Their GPs will direct them there and staff at Royal Darwin Hospital will tell them how to access palliative care services. There is still some work to do in ensuring that all our GPs are fully aware of the services and how they can access them on behalf of their patients. There is still some work to do in the bush, in educating Aboriginal health workers and others, although it is on the program and it is moving for all of those dedicated staff out in the bush. Some work is being done in Alice Springs on 24-hour access.
For the benefit of the honourable member and her friend who rang the radio station this morning, if they have a need for palliative care advice, they can call the toll-free number 1800 64 2713. It is as easy as that. Alternatively, if they want to visit, they can go to 60 Cavenagh Street and talk to Mark Donald, the manager of the unit. They will receive all the information they want about exactly where we are in relation to this excellent service. It does not deserve the denigration of the member for Fannie Bay.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016