Palliative care is provided by many different health professionals and in many different settings. They work in a complex healthcare area requiring an understanding of many different medical fields and academic disciplines which can add to the complexity of their professional practice. Health professionals involved in palliative care can face stress and compassion fatigue from working with the dying and their families

Palliative care provision in Australia has often developed in response to local needs using different service models. Palliative Care Australia (PCA) has produced a guide on planning and delivering palliative care, Palliative Care Service Provision in Australia: A Planning Guide. PCA is also managing the National Standards Assessment Program (NSAP) which aims to help palliative care services move towards best practice. 

This section provides information on issues relating to service provision and professional practice.

Last updated 21 September 2010