The role of Palliative Care in Australia is often undervalued. Palliative care provides support to those with a life-limiting or life-threatening illness, whether they be at home, in hospital or in aged care. It can also provide support to those who have been recently bereaved. Palliative care services can be provided by doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, volunteers and carers. Palliative care allows symptoms to be relieved, psychosocial needs to be met, and people to live as well as possible for as long as possible. While Australia’s palliative care system compares favourably to many other countries, there is still significant room for improvement.

In Australia, it is estimated that 80 percent of people with life-limiting illnesses could benefit from palliative care. However, about 60 per cent of those who could benefit from palliative care are not receiving it.

Just one in 50 permanent aged care residents receives palliative care.

So why is access to palliative care so important, and what can be done to improve it?

Thanks to Inside Ageing, KPMG and the ABC, we delve into the challenges currently facing the palliative care industry in Australia.

It is estimated that 82,000 Australians could benefit from palliative care each year. Demand for palliative care is predicted to double by 2050. Between now and 2060, the demand for palliative care will grow faster than both the total population and excess deaths.

However, most end-of-life care is currently provided by unpaid carers. According to a study, in Tasmania, 75 to 90 percent of end-of-life care is currently provided by family members. Not only does this place a huge emotional burden on families, but they also lack the professional training and resources to meet the complex needs of those who are dying. Therefore, improved access to palliative care not only benefits the dying, but also reduces pressure on their families.

The pressing need for more palliative care workers, especially in regional areas, is a significant challenge. Many regional areas are currently underserved, lacking the palliative care services they require. The current palliative care workforce is below the minimum benchmark set by Palliative Care Australia of two full-time palliative specialists per 100,000. This shortage is evident in all Australian states and territories, highlighting the urgent need for action.

Finding palliative care workers is a significant challenge. At present, there are not enough people to backfill the gap so that nurses and doctors can do palliative care training.
Not only does improving access to palliative care benefit those who are dying and their families, it has broader societal benefits as well.

Palliative care results in fewer hospitalisations and reduced hospital time for those receiving end-of-life care. Most importantly, this respects the wishes of the dying.

Research indicates that those experiencing end-of-life care wish to experience as much time at home as possible, with 70% wanting to die at home.

However, palliative care reduces strain on the healthcare system by reducing hospitalisations. It frees up beds for other patients and alleviates financial pressure on hospitals.
It’s crucial that funding for palliative care is increased. State funding, often sporadic, needs to be more consistent. The government also needs to step in and provide support to expand the palliative care workforce.

Palliative care supports the dying and their families and provides wider benefits to society. Therefore, it is not just a matter of financial investment but a moral imperative to ensure that everyone has access to the care they need.

Palliative care workers are special people who deserve our recognition.

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