Camden Hospital’s Palliative Care Unit will remain, following a push by Camden Councillors and the local community.
Following discussions in the community which all but confirmed a planned closure of the site and relocation to Campbelltown Hospital, Camden Councillor Cindy Cagney issued a notice of motion at Council’s 12 September meeting.
The motion recommended Council urgently write to South Western Sydney Local Heath District CEO Amanda Larkin, Camden and Campbelltown Hospitals General Manager Grant Isedale and NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park, clarifying whether the Palliative Care Unit will remain at Camden Hospital for the next five years.
The notice of motion, which was endorsed unanimously, kicked off an online petition which secured more than 5000 signatures in under two weeks. Following the pressure by Council and the community, the Minister for Health announced the Palliative Care Unit would remain in Camden. South Western Sydney Local Health District Acting Chief Executive Sonia Marshall sent a letter to Camden Council, also confirming there we no plans to close palliative care beds at Camden Hospital.
Councillor Cindy Cagney said she was relieved sense had prevailed in keeping such an important public health service in Camden.
“When people are moved into palliative care, they need as much support as possible and, crucially, they need to be as close as possible to loved ones,” she said.
“The Palliative Care Unit at Camden Hospital is vital, not only for Camden residents, but also residents of Wollondilly, who would have been asked far too much to travel to Campbelltown and be so far from loved ones in such times of need.”
“I’d like to thank the Palliative Care Unit staff for continuing to work so hard and provide this much needed service to Camden.”
Mayor of Camden, Cr Ashleigh Cagney also welcomed the news.
“This is truly a win for the people,” she said. “Thank you to everyone in the community and my fellow Camden Councillors for coming together on this issue.”
“This is another great example of all levels of government working together to advocate on behalf of our community.”
