Review underway into use of palliative care by diverse groups
Aged and community care organisations are being encouraged to take part in a national project investigating major barriers to accessing palliative care services.
Aged and community care organisations are being encouraged to take part in a national project investigating major barriers to accessing palliative care services.
The review commissioned by the Department of Health is focusing on nine under-serviced groups – Australians with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Australians, those experiencing homelessness, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, veterans, refugees, prisoners and care leavers.
Consultancy firm Australian Healthcare Associates has been tasked with carrying out the project, which aims to identify unmet needs and strategies to better engage and deliver services to these vulnerable population groups.
The review will also consider the role of advance care planning in addressing the poor uptake of palliative care.
To explore these issues, AHA will consult with a range of stakeholders including service providers, peak organisations, researchers and consumers, as well as undertake a literature review.
The project’s findings will inform the development of nine issues papers for each population group and a policy report with recommendations for improving access to palliative care.
AHA is currently seeking to capture the views of service providers and other organisations via an online survey.
Consumer interviews and focus groups will be conducted later in the project.
The survey for staff and service providers closes 24 June. Take part in the survey by clicking here.
