Our Major Current
Projects 

Review Of Palliative Care Service

Palliative Care is a time in life when we deserve to have the best care around our choice to die how we want to. Our relatives need to have the best possible experience and support to spend the last days with loved ones as possible. 


In 2018 the AWCF undertook a detailed review of the palliative care services in the Albury Wodonga region including a comparison to the published services palliative care should entail as defined by Palliative Care Australia.


The goal of the report is to improve the quality of life for those people facing death in the Albury Wodonga Health (AWH) catchment area.


The report reviewed the palliative care services in the Albury Wodonga Health catchment area by identifying its current status and what enhancements should be undertaken in order to provide a quality palliative care service. A quality palliative care service comprising:

  • Early identification and intervention of all palliative care patients.
  • Appropriate clinical and holistic care and support provided in the appropriate locations with palliative care trained resources.
  • Ensuring families, carers and medical personnel are educated in understanding what quality palliative care is and how the AWH catchment palliative care operates so appropriate palliative care is provided.


The review identified significant opportunities for enhancements and provided a comprehensive list of recommendations.  Some of the suggested enhancements have been implemented. The AWCF is working with the applicable parties in an attempt to implement the remainder of AWCF recommendations which we strongly believe would see a more cohesive and enhanced quality palliative care service for Border residents. 


Financial Assistance Prorgamme

One of the main projects and expenditure of the AWCF has relates to its Financial Assistance Programme. The AWCF Financial Assistance Programme is unique in that we are unaware of any similar scheme in Australia. 


The AWCF provides financial assistance to patients who find themselves in financial difficulty due to their cancer. The normal assistance is up to $700 but in exceptional circumstances the AWCF provides in excess of the $700. 


To access the AWCF Financial Assistance Programme cancer patients and/or their carers should discuss their financial difficulties with their Oncology Social Worker, Cancer Care Co-ordinator, or Palliative Care Co-ordinator. Those professionals will then access a vast range of financial support available including the AWCF Financial Assistance Programme.


The history of the financial assistance programme commenced in 2006. In November 2006 the AWCF conducted a community forum to identify gaps and solutions in regard to cancer services in the region. The forum identified that due to the impact of cancer, many patients face severe financial difficulties due to their income earning capacity being reduced and at the same time facing significant extra costs for treatment and care.


As a result of that community forum the AWCF has operated a Financial Assistance Programme to assist cancer patients in dire financial needs as identified by social workers operating in the health system. This program requires between $60,000 and $110,000 a year to operate.

The number of patients has increased substantially in the past few years from 17 in 2015-16 to 179 in 2022-23.


Of patients supported approximately 30% are from Wodonga, 30% from Albury and 40% from the surrounding districts.


The AWCF Financial Assistance Programme has been directly funded by generous donations from The Rotary Club Of Albury, Brave Hearts On The Murray Inc,  and the Commercial Club (Albury) Ltd.

Information, information, information....

In November 2006 the AWCF conducted a community forum to identify gaps and solutions in regard to cancer services in the region. The forum identified that many cancer patients, carers family and friends have difficulty in sourcing and understanding many issues relating to cancer and their cancer journey. Those issues include:

  • Medical
  • Emotional
  • Financial
  • Support services
  • Service providers
  • Etc.


As a result the AWCF has attempted to provide a comprehensive range of information within this web site that may assist people diagnosed with cancer, their carers, family  and friends.