When Peter O'Shannessy returned to his home from the hospital in January, he was unable to speak or eat after extensive surgery for throat cancer.

The 74-year-old was assessed for aged care support and approved for a level-three home care package, which would fund a recliner to make him more comfortable, a suction machine to clear his airways and a personal carer to help him with showers and hygiene.

The family soon learned they had to join a national queue of 121,000 people to receive a package — and that it would be seven to nine months before any help arrived.

When the cancer returned months later, Peter was declared terminal and needed urgent nursing care.

The family was advised to get a reassessment in the hope he could get the much-needed support.

"Dad's needs were increasing by

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