Improving palliative care services and training

She said the state and territory governments were responsible for delivering palliative care services, while the federal government supported projects that enhance the overall quality of services.

“The funding will continue to support education and training opportunities in palliative care for health professionals, and promote the importance of advance care planning,” Minister Nash said.

The funding is in addition to the support the federal government provides to state and territories to operate palliative care services, the subsidies for palliative care medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, and palliative care consultations under the Medical Benefits Scheme.

“Less than 1% of Australians over 70 has an advance care directive in place,” Minister Nash said.

“For most of us, our mortality is something we don’t like to dwell on, but we all want to know that our wishes will be followed so we can have a comfortable and dignified death when the time comes.”

According to Minister Nash, an advance care directive allows loves ones, doctors and other health professionals know about the level of care and the quality of life a person would like to have if they’re no longer able to make those decisions on their own.

“Palliative care is everyone’s business. Everyone should have a conversation with their loved ones about advanced care. It’s a difficult conversation to have, but a necessary one,” she added,