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Media Release
[Insert Date]
[Insert local area] cares for palliative care with support for new Cancer
Council NSW campaign
Campaign urges Government to take action on palliative care staff shortage
Cancer Council NSW and its community of passionate advocates – through its new I Care for
Palliative Care campaign – are making an urgent call to the NSW Minister for Health to end the
shortage of specialist palliative care services across the state.
Currently, there are not enough palliative care doctors and nurses to meet the needs of the NSW
community. NSW needs 10 more full time palliative care physicians, at a minimum, to be brought in
line with national palliative care recommendations.
NSW falls behind every other state and territory when it comes to the number of palliative care
nurses per head of population, with Cancer Council NSW identifying that NSW needs 129 more full
time palliative care nurses to bring us up to the standard of the rest of Australia. To ensure
Aboriginal people can access the care and support they need Cancer Council NSW is also calling
for culturally appropriate palliative care for Aboriginal people.
IF BEING ISSUED BY CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEER:
[Insert local advocate name], is a campaign volunteer from [insert area] who cares for palliative care.
[Insert a sentence or two about your connection to cancer or palliative care then use the quotes
below]
OR IF BEING ISSUED BY LOCAL STAFF:
Cancer Council NSW spokesperson, [insert local staff name], from [insert region/area] says: [then
insert quotes below]
[Quotes]
“We believe that when someone has a terminal illness, they deserve the best possible palliative
care, whenever and wherever it is needed. Palliative care means people can keep doing the things
they love for as long as possible and that families can make the most of the time they have left.
“It is saddening to think that many people in NSW are unable to access specialist palliative care and
support because there just aren’t enough staff to support them. We know that the current palliative
care doctors and nurses do a wonderful job, but they are stretched to meet demands across the
state.
“It is a reality that, despite the hard work and dedication of researchers, cancer continues to take too
many lives, young and old. Palliative care services are an essential part of the care of the terminally
ill, and of the families who support them, and we need more of them.”
Specialist palliative care allows people with advanced cancer to maintain their quality of life in a way
that is meaningful to them. It is provided by a multidisciplinary team including specially qualified and
Cancer Council
NSW
153 Dowling Street
Woolloomooloo NSW 2011
ABN: 51 116 463 846
PO Box 572 Kings Cross NSW 1340
T: 02 9334 1900
F: 02 8302 3500
E: [email protected]
Cancer Council
Helpline 13 11 20
cancercouncil.com.au
experienced doctors and nurses. It caters for physical, practical, emotional and spiritual needs of
patients, families and carers.
The NSW Government has acknowledged, in its state action plan for palliative care, that there are
gaps in specialist palliative care services in regional, rural and remote areas of NSW, and for
Aboriginal people.
“The NSW Government must take action now to close the gap in current palliative care services,
and prepare for the increased demand for these services, as more people across the state are
affected by chronic illnesses,” continued [Ms/Mr insert name]
Community members across [insert area] can support [insert name] and the I Care for Palliative
Care campaign by signing the pledge for Minister Hazzard to end the palliative care shortage:
www.canact.com.au/palliative_care_pledge
- ENDS -
Media contact: [Insert local media contact]
Interview opportunities: [Insert local spokesperson- Advocate or CPC]
Notes to editor:

Cancer Council NSW is calling on the NSW Minister for Health to end the shortage of
palliative care by funding 10 additional specialist palliative doctors, at a minimum; 129
palliative care nurses; and culturally appropriate palliative care for Aboriginal people.

There are not enough palliative care doctors and nurses to meet the needs of the NSW
community.

NSW needs 10 more full time palliative care physicians, at a minimum, so we are in line with
the recommended ratios.

NSW falls behind every other state and territory when it comes to the number of palliative
care nurses per head of population. To bring us in line with the other states and territories
combined, we need 12.5 FTE per 100,000 population but we are well behind that. We need
the NSW Government to fund 129 more full time palliative care nurses.

Many Aboriginal people don’t have access to care appropriate for their cultural needs.

In a 2016 report, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare explicitly outlined that the use
of palliative care medicine services is increasing, and that as the Australian population grows
and people live longer, the demand for palliative care services will increase.

The Push for Palliative campaign is collecting data about the number of palliative care
physicians in local areas and we can refer you to this information where necessary.
Cancer Council
NSW
153 Dowling Street
Woolloomooloo NSW 2011
ABN: 51 116 463 846
PO Box 572 Kings Cross NSW 1340
T: 02 9334 1900
F: 02 8302 3500
E: [email protected]
Cancer Council
Helpline 13 11 20
cancercouncil.com.au
About specialist palliative care:

Specialist palliative care allows people with advanced cancer to maintain their quality of life
in a way that is meaningful to them.

Specialist palliative care is provided by a multidisciplinary team including specially qualified
and experienced doctors and nurses.

It caters for physical, practical, emotional and spiritual needs of patients, families and carers.

It helps people feel in control of their situation and make decision about their ongoing care.

Specialist palliative care also provides support and advice to GPs and other health care
professionals so they can continue to be involved in their patient’s care.
Cancer Council
NSW
153 Dowling Street
Woolloomooloo NSW 2011
ABN: 51 116 463 846
PO Box 572 Kings Cross NSW 1340
T: 02 9334 1900
F: 02 8302 3500
E: [email protected]
Cancer Council
Helpline 13 11 20
cancercouncil.com.au