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Sector News

This section will keep you up to date with news in the palliative care sector. Please note that the links below were current at the time of posting, however links may become obsolete as websites update their content.
 

Palliative Care Connect webinar series

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.

Posted: 15/03/2024

Dignified and Respectful Decisions initiative for carers

Palliative Care Victoria has launched the Dignified and Respectful Decisions project to support families of older Australians in aged care across Victoria. The initiative provides families with information and resources on the benefits of palliative care, as well as guidance on how to advocate and make decisions for relatives through collaborative conversations with the aged care team. The project’s aim is to improve resident experiences of dying while supporting the wellbeing of their loved ones. Dignified and Respectful Decisions is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care, and the Victorian Government as part of The Comprehensive Palliative Care in Aged Care Measure.

Posted: 6/03/2024

Palliative Care Connect launches in South Australia

Palliative Care Connect has launched in South Australia, funded by both the Commonwealth and SA State Government. This initiative aims to improve access to palliative care and bereavement support services statewide. It facilitates smoother transitions between care types and offers guidance on end-of-life care pathways.

The service features Palliative Care Navigators connecting patients with local community support. Now, a user-friendly website, developed with Flinders University, supplements the service. On the site, users can find information on palliative care and bereavement, access a directory of services by location, and use a self-assessment tool to pinpoint needed support.

Posted: 6/03/2024

Core palliative care medicines now available in SA pharmacies

The Government of South Australia has announced that select pharmacies across the state will now stock core palliative care medications to provide better access for people with life-limiting illnesses. This new Palliative Care Medicines Pharmacy Network initiative involves 30 pharmacies, including ones in Berri, Ceduna, Hahndorf, Kangaroo Island, Mount Gambier, Murray Bridge, Naracoorte, Normanville, Nurioopta, Port Lincoln and Victor Harbor. It will be funded by the state government for four years.

Posted: 4/03/2024

Aged Care Quality Standards guidance documents consultation

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has just released draft guidance resources on the new strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. It is seeking feedback on these documents (one per Standard) from providers, aged care workers, older people and their representatives, and other stakeholders. Your responses will help the Commission ‘produce resources that are fit-for-purpose, easy-to-understand and support the delivery of quality, person-centred aged care’. 

Feedback welcomed up until midday AEST on 30 April 2024.

Posted: 6/02/2024

Palliative Care Australia releases its 2024 Federal Budget submission

As part of a detailed submission to the Federal Government, Palliative Care Australia proposes the need to maintain funding for the Comprehensive Palliative Care in Aged Care measure beyond June 2024, with costs shared with states and territories. By linking specialist palliative care services with people in residential aged care, this program has already demonstrated a reduction in unnecessary emergency and hospital admissions and delivered savings and efficiencies for hospital systems.

Posted: 31/01/2024

Q&A webinar on draft new Aged Care Act now available

Aged care workers and service providers can view a recording of an interactive Q&A panel discussion on the draft new Aged Care Act. The webinar answers sector questions on the Act, explains the draft law, and provides information on how the public can get involved in the consultation process. This information is also relevant to older people, their families and carers.

Posted: 31/01/2024