Community Services

Bendigo Community Palliative Care

Bendigo Community Palliative Care service works with people who have a terminal illness, their families, carers and the community in promoting and providing choices in quality palliative care. It is a community-based team, which liaises and works in conjunction with other community-based services to provide holistic care. The service is available to anyone, of any age, with a diagnosis of a terminal illness. The client must be aware of the referral.

The service aims to improve the quality of life of individuals and their families facing the problems associated with a terminal illness. This includes the prevention and/or relief of suffering by means of early identification, assessment and treatment of symptoms. Help may be physical, emotional or spiritual. Palliative care recognises the necessity to change the focus from cure to comfort. The service works closely with the client's own general practitioner, specialist, District Nursing Service and other community agencies.

Bendigo Community Palliative Care service is part of the home nursing and support services at Bendigo Health.

Service area
Bendigo Community Palliative Care service provides advice and support to residents of the City of Greater Bendigo, and to the Shire of Loddon in conjunction with local service providers.

What the service offers:

Symptom management
Co-ordination of services
Education
24 hour nursing support and advice
A range of equipment for loan at no charge
Volunteers to provide companionship for the client and to give practical support to the family
A comprehensive Bereavement Program in individual and/or group settings.
Thorough approach for social, spiritual and physical needs
There is no cost to the client for our service

Volunteer support workers

The service has a large number of volunteers working within different aspects of palliative care. They offer respite to family caregivers, emotional, spiritual and practical support to clients and carers including meditation and massage. Volunteers are also involved in providing bereavement follow-up and assist with the Chum House day hospice. Volunteers are required to undergo a strict selection process and approximately 30 hours of training to equip them with the skills to adequately provide support. Volunteer training is conducted yearly.

For further information please call the coordinator of volunteer support workers on (03) 5454 8926.

Auxiliary
The members of the Bendigo Community Palliative Care Auxiliary offer financial support to this service. They have monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of the month at the Rising Sun Hotel at 1.30pm. This hard working group organise fund raising activities through the year that assists patients to remain at home. They provide funding for equipment, home oxygen and generally offer support for the service. New members are always welcome as they offer fresh ideas and add energy to the group. The auxiliary is always looking for willing people to assist with sewing or cooking.

Click here for more information about Auxiliaries.

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