Patients facing life-limiting illness have a new space at Sutherland Hospital, which has opened its Supportive and Palliative Care Clinics.
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Adults in the community who have advanced cancer, heart, respiratory, kidney or neurological diseases including dementia will benefit from the clinics, which will be manned by clinic teams including palliative care doctors, nurse specialists, allied health practitioners and administrative staff.
The aim is to relieve pain, improve a person's quality of life in advanced illness where cure is no longer possible, and to seek to understand what values and wishes matter most to a person and their family. Staff will also assist families in coordinating services to help support independence at home.
"We are looking to engage the community and encourage conversations regarding end-of-life," Health Promotion Officer - District Palliative Care of the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Rachel Craft said.
The Sutherland Supportive and Palliative Care Service also helps people stay at home where they are more comfortable, and avoid hospital admissions, enables access to information, improve quality of life, support understanding and discussions around Advance Care Planning.
"Prior to the opening these services were difficult to navigate and access, which often meant people were unwell and unsupported in the community," Ms Craft said.
