And almost four months later, Hunter New England Health is still struggling to fill the full-time position.

“Like in many regional centres, filling vacancies is challenging,” HNEH General Manager for Northern Tablelands Wendy Mulligan said.

But it’s not just Glen Innes struck with a shortage. 

Cancer Council NSW Community Engagement Officer, Paul Hobson said New South Wales was falling behind every other state and territory when it comes to palliative carer numbers per head of population.

“We know there are not enough palliative care doctors or nurses to meet the needs of the NSW community, and there is a lack of culturally appropriate palliative care for Aboriginal people,” he said.

“It’s saddening to think that many people ... are unable to access specialist palliative care and support because there just aren’t enough staff to support them.”

Mrs Mulligan said currently palliative care patients in Glen Innes were being cared for by community nurses with skills in palliative care, in partnership with patients’ GPs.

“A senior palliative care nurse based in Armidale, and clinical nurse consultant based in Tamworth also provides support to staff, palliative care patients and their families living in Glen Innes,” she said.

Mr Hobson said Cancer Council were supporting the I Care for Palliative Careadvocacy campaign – a movement calling on the state Health Minister to end the shortage.

“We’re encouraging people to call the 13 11 20 (Cancer Council) Information and Support Service and answer a short series of questions with a health professional, in confidence,” Mr Hobson said.

He said the call-in results would help push the campaign forward. 

“The more people who share their advanced or terminal cancer or palliative care story with us, the stronger we will be as a community to improve palliative care in NSW for the future,” he said.