Residents and families in Melbourne’s growing south east will be better able to access the critical palliative care services they deserve under a Matthew Guy Liberal Nationals Government.
Victorian Liberal Leader Matthew Guy has today announced a $2 million commitment help fund a much needed rebuild of Palliative Care South East (PCSE) in Narre Warren.
Years of under investment from the Andrews Labor Government has meant critical services such as palliative care have not been able to keep pace with demand, stalling the healthcare system’s ability to recover.
This vital investment will mean better services now and into the future through the construction of a Wellness centre, which will also help keep 144 cancer patients from requiring acute hospital care.
Victorian Liberal Leader Matthew Guy said the project was essential to ensuring our healthcare system can deliver the services Victorians deserve.
“PCSE has outgrown its current location and requires a larger facility to ensure it can continue to provide the highest standard of care,” he said.
“Acute hospital care can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, this investment will keep patients out of hospital, in comfortable care and closer to family.”
More than 50 per cent of the funding needed to complete the build has already contributed by PCSE and land was purchased at an appropriate site in 2020.
Melbourne’s outer south east is one of the fastest growing population corridors in the state with more than 650,000 people already living within South East Palliative Care’s service area. Expected growth is between 50-80 per cent over the next two decades.
Member for Gembrook, Brad Battin said it’s important to ensure locals have access to vital facilities as the outer-eastern suburbs grow.
“This facility will help give locals peace of mind knowing their loved ones can access the support they need, closer to home,” he said.
“Palliative Care South East experienced a 27 per cent increase in admissions and 15 per cent increase in referral rates in the 2019-2020 financial year, without this support, local health services will fall further behind.”