"Palliative Care at York"

My elderly mother was diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer mid-last year. She opted for no treatment and wished to stay in her own home for as long as possible.

She was very happy with the York MPS , a service provided by WA Country Health Service (WACHS), to continue the support they were providing with cleaning, shopping, social and health support. We also applied for an Aged Care Package which was approved for late last year however we could not find any available providers. Although I believe not sufficiently staffed, the York MPS went above and beyond to support my mother and my brother and myself. As I resided 500 km from York, the communications from the York MPS were very important to me as my mother's illness progressed. They could not, however, increase their own services as I believe they are not sufficiently funded.

Due to non availability of another provider I moved into my mothers residence and cared for her with assistance from York MPS until my mother passed away. We did have an interview with a provider lined up however that was on the day my mother was admitted to hospital so there was no point and although now not required, I was contacted in a couple of months after my mother passed by another provider to see if we had found anyone and advised that they still did not have enough staff!

I would like to thank and acknowledge Kaye and the team at York MPS for their wonderful care. Also Dr Marion from York Medical Practice. Marion was her GP and able to visit my mother at home and discuss palliative care options with her, She was greatly supportive of my mothers desire to end her days at the York District Hospital as she had resided in York all her life.

My mother was able to remain at home until ten days before she died and Dr Marion then admitted her to the York Hospital as a palliative patient.

Sue and her staff were wonderful in caring for her until the end. I believe that being able to go to her familiar local hospital made the transition from home to hospital as stress free as possible. We were also supported by the Wheatbelt palliative care team.

Although a sad outcome it was a good outcome for the care of my mother and I hope many more local people are able to choose this pathway.