Sector news

The Australian Department of Health and Aged Care is undertaking a review of after hours primary care policies and programs. The Review ends will consider the need for primary care after hours services, the current state of after hours service provision and successful models of primary care after hours service provision. The Department is particularly interested in hearing from primary care providers including practice owners and managers, general practitioners, non-vocational doctors, nurses and nurse practitioners, allied health practitioners, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers, Primary Health Networks and others working in primary care.

You can contribute to the review via this online survey and/or by emailing a written submission to afterhours@allenandclarke.com.au. This consultation ends 20 April 2024.

Charles Sturt University (NSW), Griffith University (QLD), and Palliative Care Social Work Australia are seeking the views of social workers who have worked, or are currently working, in a palliative care service, health or other setting and supporting people with a life-limiting illness to access the NDIS. Those willing to participate in an online survey can access it and further information about the study via the link above.

Palliative Care Tasmania, in partnership with the Death Literacy Institute, is exploring Tasmanian’s knowledge and understanding of death, dying, grief and loss. Tasmanians are therefore encouraged to take a short survey to help understand where those in the state are situated compared to the rest of Australia. Findings will contribute to creating resources and supports that empower people, communities and organisations to navigate end-of-life issues with confidence.

Palliative Care Tasmania has partnered with the University of Tasmania (UTAS) to tackle the need for reliable and replicable data and information to understand, plan, and measure the work of the palliative care sector in the state. This report draws together partial data sets from key sources to provide important sector insights. Amongst these insights is the need for more coordination and planning in supporting people with a life-limiting illness.

The South Australian Department for Health and Wellbeing has released a series of informative webinars tailored for health professionals, aged care providers, regional health and aged care providers, patients, families and carers. The webinars introduce Palliative Care Connect – a statewide suite of services providing information and links to palliative care and bereavement supports in South Australia. Two sessions are offered per target group.

Palliative Care Western Australia today launched a new edition of its popular booklet ‘Palliative Caring’ alongside a new companion booklet ‘My Palliative Care’. Together these booklets cover topics likely to be of concern to people receiving palliative care, their families and carers. This includes: hoping for the best and planning for the rest; the role of a carer; what is palliative care; planning and decision-making; caring at home; rural and remote considerations; last days of life; and death and bereavement.

The booklets are free and have been made possible through funding from the Greater Choices for at Home Palliative Care, an Australian Government initiative implemented by WA Primary Health Alliance in WA. Copies can be downloaded or contact Palliative Care WA via info@palliativecarewa.asn.au or on 1300 551 704 for print versions.