In conversation with Janet Phillips: dying with dignity

As CEO of Peninsula Home Hospice, I witness daily the profound impact of palliative care on individuals facing life’s final chapter. Our mission is clear: to ensure every person can embrace their last moments with comfort, dignity and the freedom to choose how and where they receive care. However, this commitment is under threat due to severe funding shortages that jeopardise our ability to provide these essential services.

The heart of the issue

Victoria faces a dire funding crisis in aged care palliative services, raising concerns that an increasing number of elderly Victorians may be denied the opportunity to die with dignity. With only about a year’s funding remaining, the palliative care sector — crucial for providing end-of-life comfort — teeters on the brink, leaving its future uncertain and the industry scrambling for solutions.

A case for compassionate care

Dying with dignity is about honouring and respecting the client’s choices. It includes symptoms management, whether these be physical or psychosocial. It also encompasses preferences for place of care, how the individual wants their care to be managed and their choice in place of death. We are dedicated to supporting the client’s significant others, including their own support network of family and friends.

I vividly recall Sue Kutrolli’s experience with Peninsula Home Hospice. Sue’s parents, battling Alzheimer’s and melanoma, found solace in our care during their final years. The compassionate support they received from Vasey RSL Care and our team ensured their comfort and dignity until the very end. As a nurse with 50 years of experience, Sue was profoundly impressed by the exceptional care her mother, Pat, received. Regular medication reviews from specialist pain staff at Peninsula Home Hospice ensured Pat’s comfort in her last year. However, the prospect of such a compassionate end-of-life experience is now at risk for many Victorians due to imminent funding cuts.

Lack of funding would mean that, due to the increasing number of aged care facilities and an aging population in the Peninsula Home Hospice catchment area, we could no longer provide the necessary palliative care needs rounds. This would halt the crucial upskilling of aged care staff in palliative care, potentially forcing residents to be transferred to hospitals when their preference may have been to remain in their home.

The urgent need for funding

Recognition of the urgency of this situation and interventions to secure the future of palliative care are crucial. Strategic allocations can alleviate strain on hospital systems and cultivate compassionate environments where individuals find solace in their final moments. Ensuring everyone has the opportunity to die with dignity and comfort is not just a goal — it is a societal obligation that demands immediate action.

For us at Peninsula Home Hospice, funding is specifically sought to continue the Community Palliative Care in Aged Care project, which aims to extend these vital services to all facilities within our reach. An increase in funding would allow us to continue upskilling staff in residential aged care and ensure that all residents receive the best palliative care — every resident, every time.

Looking ahead

Sustained funding and partnerships are essential in safeguarding quality end-of-life experiences for all Australians amidst the challenges of an aging population. The looming funding crisis threatens to rob many Victorians of the right to die with dignity and choice. The stories of families like Sue’s serve as poignant reminders of the critical need for continued investment in palliative care.

In a society judged by its compassion, our humanity is measured by how we care for our most vulnerable. Funding palliative care isn’t just about budgets — it’s about upholding human dignity. As we navigate the complexities of healthcare funding, let us remember that the value of life extends to its very end. Let us advocate, support and demand a future where dying with dignity is not a luxury but a fundamental right.

Janet Phillips is the Chief Executive Officer at Peninsula Home Hospice. She is an experienced senior executive in community palliative care, oncology, disability and aged care. Having worked in the health industry for 36 years, she has spent the last 20 years in the NFP sector and is approaching four years at Peninsula Home Hospice. Janet has extensive experience in stakeholder advocacy and engagement with government, the palliative care sector and industry bodies.

Image credit: iStock.com/AntonioGuillem