Help shape the future of Queensland palliative care services

Queenslanders are being encouraged to have their say on the future of palliative care services, with state-wide consultation on the Queensland Health Palliative Care Services Review starting this week. 

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Steven Miles said the review would help to ensure Queenslanders received the most compassionate care at the end of life.

“Queensland’s growing and ageing population, combined with an increasing rate of chronic and life-limiting illnesses, continues to increase demand for palliative care services,” Minister Miles said.

“We want to ensure these services are properly funded and are capable of meeting the needs and preferences of the population into the future.

“We want to get this right – which is why we are asking all Queenslanders to share their views, so we can gain a better understanding of the suitability and accessibility of existing services, and preferred service models and arrangements.”

Minister Miles said the state-wide consultation paper would help inform Queensland Health’s overall review into palliative care services.

“Queensland Health is now undertaking a review of palliative care services to develop an informed and strategic approach for future palliative care funding and service arrangements with Hospital and Health Services and non-government organisations,” he said.

“The review will be informed by number of recent initiatives, including the

Statewide strategy for end-of-life care 2015, the Care at the end of life: Implementation Plan 2015–2025 and the National Palliative Care Strategy 2018, which will soon be released.

“I look forward to seeing the outcomes of this review and how we can best tackle policy and service delivery barriers in the future.”

The Queensland Health Palliative Care Services Review consultation paper is available at www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au. Submissions are now open until Friday 24 August 2018.

ENDS

Media contact - Katharine Wright 0428 957 903