Canberra Liberals Leader Mark Parton will move a motion in the Legislative Assembly today calling for continued funding of non-clinical, home-based palliative care support after funding changes affecting Community Options.

Community Options’ Palliative Care Program provides case management and practical, non-clinical support for people with life-limiting illnesses who want to remain at home for as long as possible.

Mr Parton says the government has withdrawn funding that enabled practical support to be delivered in people’s homes and argues any replacement service needs funding for more than case management and navigation.

Community Options CEO Brendan Taber says the government is working with the organisation on transitioning the program, but the proposed arrangements do not include the flexible funding needed to provide rapid practical support at home.

“Dying Canberrans do not need to be assessed and navigated to nowhere; they need timely, flexible support to remain safely at home and have their wish to die at home respected,” Mr Taber says.

The government’s Palliative Care Service Function Review identified fragmentation and difficulties navigating ACT palliative care services. It recorded ACT Health funding of about $110,000 a year for the Community Options Palliative Care Program.

Earlier this month, Community Options, Palliative Care ACT and the Health Care Consumers Association called on the government to fund a pathway preserving flexible community support after Community Options winds down, saying the future provider was less important than ensuring the service continued.

Mr Parton’s motion calls on new Health Minister Marisa Paterson to ensure ongoing access to a dedicated non-clinical, community-based palliative care service with sustainable funding and to review the implementation and adequacy of palliative care services across the ACT.

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