The nurses will be based in six regional areas to give more South Australians living in rural and remote communities end-of-life care closer to home.

The senior nurses will provide complex care for people with life-limiting or terminal illnesses, working in a range of settings including hospitals, hospice care or in the community.

The $6.3 million investment will fill a key gap in regional palliative care and support the attraction and retention of senior people with specialist skills, Health Minister Chris Picton said.

“We know there’s a gap in palliative care services in our regions which is why we committed to hiring many more specialist nurses to improve patients’ wellbeing,” he said.

“This recruitment drive will allow patients to be treated much closer to home while reducing pressure on hospitals in metropolitan areas and beyond.”

Palliative Care SA Chief Executive Shyla Mills said every South Australian had the right to access quality palliative care when and where they need it.

“We welcome this investment which will enable people to be closer to their loved ones and their community at the end stage of life,” she said.

-AAP