Community members approached the Pastoral Times this week with reports palliative care services were no longer being provided after hours and on weekends.
Murrumbidgee Local Health District has confirmed that while there are staffing issues within the service, access would remain available to families 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“To ensure continued access to care during staff leave, MLHD has arranged for a specialist palliative care nurse from Finley to visit patients in the Deniliquin area providing comprehensive in-person consultations,” an MLHD spokesperson said.
“A district-wide after hours on-call service is also available to provide virtual specialist care for all patients outside of regular business hours.
“The Palliative Care Team continues to meet with local GPs and patients regarding the temporary changes to services during this period.”
The Pastoral Times understands the changes have been brought about by the local specialist palliative care nurse taking extended leave.
That staff member is currently the only employee in palliative care, with recruitment underway to fill a second position.
It is understood changes in place now will be lifted once the nurse returns from leave and recruitment is finalised.
“MLHD is committed to the delivery of high quality, patient and family focused care for people of all ages who have a life-limiting or terminal illness,” the MLHD spokesperson said.
“The district employs specialist palliative care staff for assistance with more complex problems. Palliative care services are also provided by GPs and other staff in hospitals and residential care facilities.
“In Deniliquin, a full-time nurse provides specialist palliative care to the community.
“Recruitment is also currently underway for an additional outreach palliative clinical nurse specialist to provide services to the broader Deniliquin region and we expect this role to be filled in the coming weeks.
“The specialist palliative care services based in Wagga, Griffith, Deniliquin, Tumut and Corowa provide outreach services to all communities and facilities in the district.”
Additional information on the changes provided to Deniliquin’s Local Health Advisory Committee suggests the recent concerns were sparked when an incorrect phone number for the after-hours service was communicated to Deniliquin patients.
Those patients have since been contacted to convey the correct details.
“Patient quality of care is at the forefront of every decision we make, as is the need to prioritise the safety of our staff working in the community,” palliative care nurse practitioner Jenny McKenzie said, via Deni LHAC.
“The Finley palliative care nurse is providing comprehensive face-to-face consultations during the week, with clients able to access the district’s specialist palliative care team during weekends if needed.”
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