A petition to save Camden Hospital’s palliative care unit has been signed by almost 4500 people in just five days.
And a social media page created at the same time has already attracted more than 2300 followers.
Judging by the comments on the social media page, Save Palliative Care at Camden Hospital, news that the unit would be closed and its services relocated to Campbelltown Hospital has caused anger and confusion in the local community.
Some have made the obvious point that out here in the growing South West of Sydney we need more health resources, not fewer.
The South West Voice has contacted the Member for Camden, Sally Quinnell, who was in parliament today but has promised to return our call.
Federal Member Dr Mike Freelander has told the Voice he has been unable so far to confirm whether a decision has been formally made to close the ward at Camden Hospital and relocate it to Campbelltown.
The Voice has been able to ascertain that Camden Hospital staff have been informed of the decision to relocate the ward, however they could lose their jobs if they were to go public with the information.
It is assumed the decision was not taken by the current Labor State Government, but by its predecessor, the Liberal National Coalition administration
Organisers of the petition on the other hand say that closing this facility will “put extra pressure on Campbelltown Hospital’’.
“Moving the palliative care facility to Campbelltown will put unnecessary stress on local families, which could cost them saying goodbye to their loved ones,’’ they say.
“Moving the palliative care facility to Campbelltown Hospital will double travel time to see loved ones, and will mean paying for parking there.
“Camden palliative care is set up with a beautiful garden (pictured above) and peaceful location that gives an end of life nicer than the concrete jungle Campbelltown Hospital is.
“With the growing population in the Camden and Wollondilly area, the decision to take important services away from this area is not acceptable.
“NSW Health and the NSW Government need to put our area first and make Camden Hospital a priority and keep necessary services at Camden.’’
Check out the petition at https://www.change.org/…/save-palliative-care-at-camden…
Thanks for highlighting this story. It will be a tragedy if Camden Palliative Care closes. We deserve more not less service.
Whoever made the decision to relocate Palliative Care from Camden to Campbelltown hospital needs to stand up and admit it.
They would have known that making this decision would outrage the community – that’s why no one is admitting to making the decision or confirming it.
Camden is has always been what it is today because of the local people.
Camden is what it is today because of the hard work of past and current members of our community that care about what people need more than running a business to making a profit.
Of course we can’t run things at a loss but when it comes to things like Palliative Care if the care is as high as everyone has experienced and the location and grounds are as soothing and relaxing.
Why, when it has all the ticks in the right places, would you change anything.
As a staff member I’m not allowed to make comment on this but as a daughter whose mother died in pall care I am outraged and disgusted at this proposal and the extreme loss to our community if it happens
How you leave this world and spend your last precious days and months is arguably more important than being born or any other stage. Please allow our loved ones and special friends to pass in peace and dignity and find cost cuttings from other sectors. Politicians exorbitant pensions might be a good place to start.