Australian Inquiry into Palliative Care - Seeking Input

The Australian Senate Inquiry into palliative care is in urgent need of submissions from interested stakeholders to ensure that the ‘once-in-alifetime’ inquiry can deliver a coordinated response to growing challenges particularly relevant to Australia’s ageing population.    

The inquiry has been established to investigate a broad range of palliative care issues, addressing all aspects of the system from interactions with the aged care sector to funding issues and the various influences on choice and access to palliative care. Eight specific factors have been identified in the terms of reference. They include:

• the factors influencing access to and choice of appropriate palliative care;


• the funding arrangements for palliative care provision;


• the efficient use of palliative, health and aged care resources;


• the effectiveness of a range of palliative care arrangements;


• the composition of the palliative care workforce;


• the adequacy of standards that apply to the provision of palliative care;


• advance care planning, including national consistency in law and policy; and


• the availability and funding of research, information and data about palliative care needs in Australia.  

A low submission rate has been reported, which jeopardises the potential for the Senate Inquiry to adequately address concerns raised in palliative care. It is strongly recommended that a submission is made by relevant stakeholders including hospitals, aged care facilities, retirement villages and other parties involved in providing or interacting with palliative care, to ensure a thorough inquiry occurs that addresses all issues to ensure the future applicability and relevance of palliative care within the national aged care and health systems.  

To make a submission please click here.