Liberal Nationals Government helps secure Little Haven’s future
28/2/2019
Liberal Nationals Government helps secure Little Haven’s future
Gympie’s much loved Little Haven Palliative Care has secured funding from the Liberal Nationals Government, enabling it to continue to extend its highly regarded service in the community.
Minister for Health Greg Hunt has confirmed that Little Haven will receive $750,000 over three years, with the first payment of $250,000 being made before the end of this financial year.
“Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien has worked closely with Little Haven’s Chief Executive Officer Sue Manton to ascertain the needs of the organisation and identify a funding solution,” Minister Hunt said.
“Llew O’Brien and Sue Manton highlighted the value and the importance of this service within the Gympie community and the Liberal Nationals Government is taking action to ensure the Little Haven remains viable into the future.
“I congratulate them on their collaboration and Llew O’Brien for his strong advocacy which secured this funding,” Minister Hunt said.
Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien said Little Haven holds a special place in the hearts of many families in Gympie who have benefitted from the special care the service delivers.
“For more than 35 years, Little Haven has offered a unique level of specialised and personalised care, delivering palliative services to people in their own home,” Mr O’Brien said.
“As a not for profit benevolent institution, Little Haven depends on donations and the generosity of its supporters in the community. However, with an increasing patient load its resources have become stretched.
“The number of people seeking Little Haven’s palliative care service is growing steadily each year, from around 90 in 2006 to 228 now but the funding from Queensland Health hasn’t kept pace with the increasing demand.
“In-home palliative care is the responsibility of the State Government and it is very disappointing that the Queensland Government has resisted calls to increase funding for Little Haven.
“Little Haven provides an essential public service that is too important to Gympie to let the lack of growth funding from the Queensland Government to jeopardise its operations.
“By working constructively with Little Haven and Minister Hunt we have now achieved this funding that will make a big difference to Little Haven and everyone who relies on its service,” Mr O’Brien said.
Little Haven has 162 volunteers who last year provided 16,730 volunteer hours, caring for an average of 70 clients who are being supported by the service at any given time. Little Haven also assists the families of the bereaved, with 250 clients accessing their service annually.
“I encourage everyone in the community to continue to support Little Haven through donations and volunteering so it can continue to extend its unique level of care,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Our plan for a strong economy means we continue to deliver record funding for essential services such as Medicare, public hospitals, and services like Little Haven,” Minister Hunt said.
“Under the Liberal National Government, Medicare spending is guaranteed and increasing every year from $24 billion in 2017–18 to $28.8 billion in 2021–22 to support health care for every Australian.”
“The Government is committed to delivering improved health services which includes increased hospital funding with an extra $8 billion for hospitals taking it to $29.5 billion over five years,” Minister Hunt said.
The Liberal National Government’s strong economic management ensures the continued record investment of funding into vital health initiatives including mental health, life-saving medicines, Medicare and hospitals.
ENDS