Liberals pledge funds to palliative care ahead of euthanasia vote – The Border Mail

20 Aug 2017, 7:16 p.m.

The Liberals have pledged $140 million for palliative care to give dying Victorians what they say is a "genuine choice" to stay at home or remain in hospital ahead of the looming conscience vote on euthanasia.

The Liberals have pledged $140 million for palliative care to give dying Victorians what they say is a "genuine choice" to stay at home or remain in hospital ahead of the looming conscience vote on euthanasia.

The money, to be given over four years, will provide more doctors and nurses for those receiving palliative care in the community, especially in rural and regional Victoria.

It comes as the Andrews government plans to introduce a bill to legalise assisted dying in the Victorian Parliament later this year.

Victorian MPs will get a conscience vote on the proposed laws and will not vote along party lines, with the exception of the Greens who have a policy in support of assisted dying.

Some MPs against the bill have argued instead for better palliative care.

But opposition health spokeswoman Mary Wooldridge, who supports assisted dying, said the Liberals policy was not connected to the euthanasia bill.

"This is about palliative care and services and support that are needed for people in their end-of-life days, weeks and months," Ms Wooldridge said.

"So this is an announcement regardless of the outcome of the legislation."

The opposition's policy plans for an awareness campaign to help Victorians, including those from culturally diverse backgrounds and the Indigenous community, better understand palliative care.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said the substantial funding would help more terminally ill Victorians to return home.

"Victoria has limited resources to be able to allow people to die at home," Mr Guy said.

"Being home and surrounded by loved ones and precious memories can make a huge difference to patients and families and we want to make sure more people have that choice if they want it."

Palliative Care Victoria chief executive Odette Waander said more than half of palliative care services were unable to meet current demand.

She said the proposed increase to services would mean that up to 8000 extra people would be able to receive the care and support they needed.

"There are about at least one in four Victorians who die each year who are missing out on ... palliative care," she said.

She said the additional funding would also help provide more support on weekends, overnight, as well as respite to carers.

Fairfax Media this month asked almost 3000 Victorians via a ReachTel phone poll if they support or oppose the Andrews government's planned new assisted dying laws?

Almost two-thirds said they either supported or strongly supported the laws, which will be subject to a conscience vote among MPs.

About 15 per cent of people polled said they were opposed or strongly opposed to assisted dying.

Under the proposed Victorian model to be debated in parliament later this year, lethal medication will be available to terminally ill adults who are in pain with less than 12 months to live.

With Adam Carey

The story Liberals pledge funds to palliative care ahead of euthanasia vote first appeared on The Age.

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Liberals pledge funds to palliative care ahead of euthanasia vote - The Border Mail