Websites	Closing the Gap Closing the Gap is a commitment by all Australian governments to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians, and in particular provide a better future for Indigenous children. Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet Internet resource that aims to inform practice and policy in Indigenous health by making research and other knowledge readily. Has a specifc section on palliative care. Rural Health Education Foundation Has a range of education material relating to Indigenous health. Includes a program on palliative care for Indigenous People The Working Carers Support Gateway - Indigenous Portal An information portal for those looking after someone and working too. Do something real This website celebrates the real stories of real people who are working to deliver better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Books	Evaluation and palliative care: a guide to the evaluation of palliative care services and programs Eagar K, Cranny C, Fildes D. 2004. This booklet is a guide to assist palliative care projects and services to design, plan and implement evaluations that are consistent with the National Palliative Care Program. Communicating Positively – A Guide to Appropriate Aboriginal Terminology NSW Health Department. 2004 Provides health staff with background information and guidance as to appropriate word usage for health staff working with Aboriginal people and communities. NSW Health. Download publication (in pdf format) from OR Better Health Centre - Publications Warehouse, Locked Mail Bag 5003, Gladesville NSW 2111.
Booklets	Information & Support Pack: for those bereaved by suicide or other sudden death (WA Version) Clark SJ, Hillman SD, Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention. 2007 (2nd ed). This booklet explains the feelings an Indigenous person may have when grieving over a family member who has committed suicide or died suddenly. It also discusses sorry and funeral time and the traditions of the Indigenous culture and what may be expected of them at this time. Guidelines for delivery of culturally sensitive and flexible counselling for Indigenous carers This report details the process and findings supporting the development of specialised guidelines for the delivery of flexible and culturally sensitive counselling to Indigenous carers. Who receives specialist palliative care in Western Australia - and who misses out McNamara B, Rosenwax L, D'Arcy Holman C, Nightingale E. This study provides an insight into who is missing out on palliative care services in the last year of life, particularly elderly Aboriginals living in rural or remote regions who are also socially disadvantaged. ACT Health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander palliative care booklet This is a guide to caring for those with a terminal condition. The emphasis here is on honouring the choices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT community.
Articles	Cancer among people living in rural and remote Indigenous communities in Queensland (abstract)   Coory M, Thompson A, Ganguly I. Med J Aust. 2000 Sep 18;173(6):301-4) This study contains an analysis of the incidence of cancer and the mortality rate among Indigenous people in Qld. It examines the type of cancers that occur and why Indigenous people have poorer survival rates than non-Indigenous people. Can obtain from Queensland Government Health.   Providing Palliative Care for Aboriginal Patients (abstract) Fried O. Aust Fam Physician. 2000 Nov; 29(11):1035-8. Discusses the fact that many Indigenous people are ill-informed about palliative care and either lack proper access to it or the service isn’t culturally appropriate. Suggests the way forward is to work with Aboriginal Health Workers to ensure correct steps are put in place to enable Indigenous people to want to access mainstream palliative care. Reducing the impact of cancer in Indigenous communities, ways forward  Lowenthal R, Grogan P, Kerrins E. Med J Aust. 2005 Feb 7;182(3):105-6. Discussion paper addressing the issue of cancer and Indigenous people, the cause of increased incidence amongst Indigenous groups compared to non-Indigenous and the cultural beliefs and rituals within Indigenous communities. Issues in Palliative Care for Indigenous Communities  Maddocks I, Rayner R. Med J Aust. 2003 Sep 15;179(6 Suppl):S17-9. The article discusses the need to consider cultural beliefs of Indigenous groups around palliative car, their understanding of disease causation, ceremonial duties and the importance of Aboriginal health care workers in the care of Indigenous people. The Aboriginal Health Worker  Mitchell M, Hussey LM. Med J Aust. 2006;184(10):529-30. Discusses the challenges in working in one's own community, where work can be rewarding yet stressful; there can be a perception that you are "everything to everyone". 'The biggest worry...': research findings on pain management for Aboriginal peoples in Northern Territory, Australia McGrath P. Rural and Remote Health. 2006;6:549.  Discusses effective pain management during end-of-life care. Palliative care in a multicultural society: perceptions of health care professionals McNamara B, Martin K, Waddell C, Yeun K. Palliat Med. 1997;11:359-67. Research into how to improve cross-cultural palliative care as suggested by care providers. From this come issues such as difficulties faced by care providers and the need for educational programs for care providers. This later issue is seen to be the key to the provision of culturally appropriate care to patients and their families from all cultural backgrounds. End-of-Life Care of Aboriginal Peoples in Remote Locations: Language Issues McGrath P, Holewa H. International Program of Psychiatric-Social Health Research. 2007 Jul 6. This 10-page Australian paper provides insights into the impact of language on palliative care
Reports	National Indigenous Palliative Care Needs Study: Final Report The National Palliative Care Program / Kate Sullivan & Associates Pty Ltd Palliative Care and Indigenous patients. Caring Communities Program - Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Peoples Projects. National Palliative Care Strategy The Palliative care Strategy was endorsed in December 2010.
Policies and Guidelines	Guidelines for a Palliative Approach in Residential Aged Care - Enhanced Version Edith Cowan University, 2006 Guidelines that cover all major aspects of providing palliative care for a RACF resident. Each chapter deals with a different issue from attending to physical symptoms and spiritual needs to dealing with the reactions of family members. Providing culturally appropriate palliative care to Indigenous Australians: Resource Kit Wodonga TAFE, Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation & Mercy Health Service, 2004 This publication provides strategies and training material to support staff in mainstream health services to provide culturally appropriate palliative care to Indigenous Australians. A Guide to Palliative Care Service Development: a Population Based Approach Palliative Care Australia This policy document has been developed to use beside the ‘Palliative Care Service Provision in Australia: a Planning Guide’ and the revised ‘Standards for Providing Quality Palliative Care to all Australians’.
Leaflets	Let's yarn about Palliative Care - Going Home to Country  A leaflet to explain and promote palliative care services to members of the Koori community is now available for use in clinical practice. The following leaflets are available from Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (SA) Inc. (ADAC) www.adac.org.au. Grief and Trauma Children - what to tell the children when someone dies  Grief and Trauma Telling your story - Getting over grief Grief and Trauma Sorry Business - Grief and loss Feeling Good Tips for Aboriginal Carers This leaflet talks about the importance of looking after yourself while looking after someone else.
Video / CD / DVD	Rural Health Education Foundation Resources The Rural Health Education Health Foundation has a number of resources on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Health including Palliative Care for Indigenous People and Aboriginal health workers and chronic disease management

This page was created in March 2007.
Last updated 17 August 2011