Camden Hospital’s palliative care unit will stay put after all and you can thank the people in this photo.
They are behind an extraordinary local campaign that has in record time resulted in NSW health minister Ryan Park intervening to ensure that Camden keeps its palliative unit.
These women – it was mostly women leading the way – launched a petition and a Facebook page that resulted in massive response from the local community who shared their outrage at these plans to shut down Camden palliative care ward and relocate it to Campbelltown Hospital.
More than 5,100 people signed the petition, less than two weeks after it was started. And 2700 people joined the Facebook page.
Camden MP Sally Quinnell confirmed the minister’s intervention on Friday, telling the South West Voice, “I have just been talking to him and he assures me the ward is not going anywhere’’.
Mr Park has yet to make a formal announcement to put a stop to the relocation plans, which are believed to have been made at the South Western Sydney Local Health District level.
Around 50 supporters of the pushback against the relocation plans gathered outside Camden Hospital this morning while a TV crew interviewed the organisers of the Facebook page and the petition.
Support for the campaign also came from Camden Council, which voted earlier this month to write to the minister and Local Health District chief executive Amanda Larkin.
The notice of motion, proposed by Cr Cindy Cagney, sought clarification as to whether the Palliative Care Unit at Camden Hospital “is going to remain open for the next five years’’.
No councillors voted against the motion.
Organisers are now preparing to fight for an increase the number of beds in the palliative ward.
Meanwhile, the official confirmation of the ministerial intervention is now in.
“Today, the Minns Labor Government will announce that it will keep palliative care services at Camden Hospital,’’ said a media statement issued by Member for Camden Sally Quinnell, that was embargoed until 5pm today.
“The Minister for Health Ryan Park said no plans to close palliative care beds at Camden Hospital would be progressed and confirmed the need to ensure existing services continue to meet the needs of the local community and surrounding region,’’ it said.
“This is an amazing win for the people of Camden,’’ Ms Quinnell said.
“The Minister and I understand how important this vital unit is to our community, and I’m fully committed to continuing the fight for improved healthcare services in Camden – both now and in the future.”
Congratulations to everyone that has been involved! I am absolutely delighted to read this article. A big win for the community and yes let’s fight for more beds ❤️🙌🙏
It’s great news for our community. Our place is safe for a while. Let’s hope the NSW government can find use of this great site and expand services. It’s sad to see it being let run down. We need a community base Hospital in Camden & Wollondilly. 👏 Thank you Sharon’s. & Cindy.
Sensational outcome for the community! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
Thank you the organisers and to everyone who signed the petition unless you have sadly used this service you could not truly understand how important this ward is, they are Angels giving those at end of life dignity and the family the peace that need, the care they gave myself and my late husband I will never forget.
Thank you ❤️
Thanks to everyone for supporting this much needed unit at Camden Hospital. Yes it would be great to see more beds available. Also thanks for listening to the community.