The Respecting Patient Choices (RPC) Program supports advance care planning. It began in 2002 as a pilot program at the Austin Hospital, Melbourne, and has since been extended to a number of health services and communities in Victoria, and implemented at one lead hospital in each state and territory. The expansion has been funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, and the Victorian Government Department of Human Services.
Summary of Implementation
National
| ACT |
The Canberra Hospital |
May 2006 |
| NSW |
John Hunter Hospital |
May 2005 |
| NT |
Royal Darwin Hospital |
July 2006 |
| QLD |
Townsville Hospital |
May 2005 |
| SA |
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital |
Oct 2004 |
| TAS |
Royal Hobart Hospital |
Apr 2006 |
| WA |
Fremantle Hospital |
Feb 2006 |
Some of these sites have also begun expanding advance care planning in their local communities.
Victoria
| Austin Health |
Aug 2002 |
| Barwon Health |
Nov 2005 |
| Community Specialist Palliative Care (Banksia and Melbourne CityMission) |
Mar 2004 |
| Eastern Health |
Nov 2003 |
| Northern Health |
Sep 2004 |
| South West Healthcare (Warnambool, Hamilton, Portland) |
|
| Southern Health |
Oct 2006 |
Most of the Victorian sites have expanded implementation to a number of residential aged care facilities. The largest is Austin Health with an evaluation of RPC in 17 aged care facilities in the Austin area between 2003-2005.
Addtional Resources
For further information
This page was created on 21 November 2006 and will be reviewed in November 2008