NATIONALS spoke passionately about the need for increased palliative care in regional NSW in order to allow people to die with dignity in their own home.
“The great majority wish to die in their own homes but only 14 per cent do so,” said Lucy Haslam of the Tamworth branch.
Mrs Haslam lost her 25-year-old son Dan earlier this year to bowel cancer.
“It is a fantasy of many loving and willing family members whose call for help has been largely unheard. That is an indication of a system that is broken.”
Ballina delegate Kris Beavis, who lost his parents to cancer, said the capacity to provide patients the opportunity to ‘die well’ was critical.
The conference voted to support better and more equitable access to palliative care in the home for all who need it in rural and regional Australia.
