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 multi-cultural 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 therefore also heavily dependent on fundraising and community support.
We are sensitive of religious beliefs and cultural backgrounds and have information on nearly 400 different customs relating to death and mourning.
In the financial year 2003-04 :
There were nearly 20,000 face to face contacts with patients.
Patients from 56 countries were cared for.
Most common languages used in the homes of patients were English, Italian, Vietnamese, Greek and Maltese.
63% of clients received a pension or supported income.
47% of palliative care referrals were between 56 and 75 years old.
Over 12% of referrals were under 55 years old.
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