Mercy Palliative Care is a community based service, which has been in existence for over 20 years. The service operates throughout the western region of Melbourne caring for people with a terminal illness, and their families, in their own homes.
On average, about 150 patients are in our program at any one time.
The multicultural diversity of the western metropolitan region presents cultural challenges with patients from over 50 countries, speaking more than 30 languages. This necessitates working closely with interpreter services and migrant resource centres to understand cultural sensitivities.
The service cares for people of all ages ranging from 12 months old to over 100 years old.
Cancer accounts for over 80 per cent of the patients cared for by Mercy Palliative Care.
Mercy Palliative Care does not charge for the care we provide. We receive 70 per cent of our revenue from State Government funding and are heavily dependent on fundraising and community support.
We are sensitive to religious beliefs and cultural backgrounds and have information on nearly 400 different customs relating to death and mourning.
