The demand for palliative care services “in the home” increased significantly. In 1993, more staff were employed and Banksia moved to an office premises in Susan Street, Eltham. Banksia was located there until moving to Ivanhoe, in 2001 and then to its current premises in Heidelberg in 2010. The demand for Banksia’s services has grown from 43 clients in 1993 to in excess of 500 clients per year.
Banksia has provided specialist palliative care and practical support to over 5,000 children and adults living at home or in an Aged Care facility who have been diagnosed with a progressive terminal illness. This service is multiplied many times with the support of carers, partners and family members.
Banksia Palliative Care Service (BPCS) is the only Community Palliative Care Service in the north east suburbs of Melbourne, for the area encompassing the 3 local government areas of Banyule, Nillumbik and Whittlesea. Banksia services an area of approximately 1,000 square kilometres and a population of approximately 330,000 people.
Banksia’s history and origins are very important, as it clearly defines the organisation as a “community organisation”.
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