Fernlea saved

By Tania Martin
EMERALD’S palliative care unit has been given a last-minute reprieve to stay open following months of campaigning for Federal Government support.
As Fernlea House prepared for the worst – to close its doors – the Federal Government came through with the cash.
Unit Manager Helen Pike said the house had been allocated up to $479,000 a year for the next 24 months under the national carers’ respite program.
“It will keep us going until June 2011,” she said.
“We are thrilled, relieved and really excited.”
For the past two years Fernlea House has been battling to stay open.
But in both cases at the 11th hour the Federal Government has stepped in to keep the community-based palliative care unit running.
In May last year the Federal Government announced a $270,000 cash injection, saving the unit, but in March, Fernlea House supporters were told the extra money would not be granted this year.
Ms Pike said although this year the situation looked dire, the staff, volunteers and guest had always remained hopeful.
“I knew the value of what we do here and always believed we wouldn’t close,” she said.
Ms Pike also met with Health and Ageing Minister Nicola Roxon at the Federal Government community cabinet meeting last Tuesday, 19 May.
“She was really gracious and recognised the value of the work we do here, especially given the aging population,” Ms Pike said.
Ms Pike said the funding would allow Fernlea to open four days a week adding to the current three-day service.
She said the cash also means that the outreach program could be reinstated.
The program had previously been cut in an effort to stretch the limited cash.
Ms Pike said Fernlea the community and media had helped in the campaign.
“Everyone helped to put pressure on to achieve our goal,” she said.
La Trobe MP Jason Wood, who submitted a petition to Parliament in March, said it was fantastic news.
He said the support from locals had been amazing.
Ms Pike said Fernlea now had two years before funding becomes a problem.
“But we hope to apply for funding again,” she said.