The ACT Government is taking over Canberra's only palliative care centre.

Canberra's sole palliative care centre, Clare Holland House, is being placed under the control of the ACT Government after an agreement was reached between the government and Calvary, the Catholic health care organisation running the facility. 

The development follows the recent compulsory acquisition of the Calvary Public Hospital at Bruce by the government.

The future of palliative care services at Clare Holland House had been uncertain, particularly regarding the potential legalisation of voluntary assisted dying (VAD) in the territory. 

However, the hospice had been working on a model to manage VAD without directly participating in the procedure. 

Calvary's national chief executive, Martin Bowles, expressed the decision was made “reluctantly”, and that patient care remained the top priority.

To ensure continuity of care, both inpatients and outpatients needing public palliative care services will be directly connected to the public hospital, according to Bowles. 

Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith highlighted the collaborative efforts between the government and Calvary in understanding the complexities of Clare Holland House's existing connections with Calvary Public Hospital Bruce.

Canberra Health Services will collaborate with Calvary to facilitate a smooth and safe transition of services, aiming to minimise disruption for staff, patients, and caregivers. 

Staff members of Clare Holland House will have the opportunity to transition their employment to Canberra Health Services, with guarantees of retaining their current roles, teams, managers, and compensation.

The ACT government's Budget papers reportedly reveal significant investments related to healthcare in the region. 

The transfer of Calvary Public Hospital Bruce will receive nearly $50 million in funding, while the design work for a new hospital at the Bruce site will receive $64 million over the next two years. 

Additionally, the Budget includes plans for a new palliative care ward at Canberra Hospital, with $15.5 million allocated for its development.

The decision to take control of Clare Holland House by the ACT Government appears to cement its commitment to an integrated care model. 

With negotiations ongoing, the Budget papers do not appear to account for the compensation that will be required for the compulsory acquisition.