About Palliative Care ACT

Formed in 1985, Palliative Care ACT (PCACT) is a non-government community-based organisation, a registered charity, and a founding member of the national peak body Palliative Care Australia. Its mission is to influence, foster and promote the delivery of quality care at end-of-life for all, and to offer compassion and support to people with a life-limiting illness, their carers and families.

PCACT operates Leo’s Place, a respite house for people in the ACT living with a life limiting illness and their carers/families. PCACT also has a long-standing role in training and supporting volunteers in palliative care service delivery throughout the ACT including in people’s homes, Clare Holland House, and in residential aged care facilities.

Palliative Care and VAD

PCACT recognises VAD as an option in end-of-life care alongside palliative care. PCACT holds the position that VAD should never be viewed as an alternative to palliative care. An individual’s choice to pursue VAD should not be based on a lack of available, quality palliative care and so provision of high-quality palliative care available to all people must remain a high priority. An individual’s wish to access VAD should also never preclude them from accessing palliative care services.

PCACT maintains that the implementation of VAD must be carefully monitored to ensure that:

• People are provided with appropriate access to palliative care prior to their consideration of VAD;
• Continuity of palliative care is maintained for individuals who choose to pursue VAD;
• There is psychosocial support for patients, families, and health professionals affected by VAD; and
• The public is provided with transparent information about palliative and end-of-life care options in the ACT, including what health or care facilities might preclude an individual from accessing VAD so that individuals are able to make informed decisions about their health care.

PCACT recognises the right of health professionals to conscientious objection.

Increasing Investment in Palliative Care

There are around 2,400 deaths in the ACT each year, with approximately two-thirds of these deemed “expected” and therefore benefiting from palliative care. With an ageing population the demand for palliative care is increasing. The estimated demand in Australia is expected to increase by 50% between now and 2035 and double by 2050.

ACT as a jurisdiction is fortunate to have a range of palliative care services and support options available. The ACT Government has committed 4.1 million over 4 years for palliative and end-of-life care in the community, including expanding PCACT’s Leo’s Place. This is an important step in providing better respite care that makes it possible for people living with life-limiting illness to stay at home for longer. In addition, the ACT Government is implementing a person-centred palliative care ward at The Canberra Hospital to increase the availability of clinical palliative care service offerings for our diverse population. It is also re-establishing the Palliative Medicines in the Community Pharmacies program.

With the increasing demand on palliative care services and the introduction of VAD, PCACT calls on the government to consider increasing investment in:

• Raising awareness in the general community and among health professionals on the benefits and role of palliative care;
• Earlier and more systematic palliative care for those with advanced illness, particularly in the acute hospital setting where most deaths still occur;
• Boosting access to palliative care for vulnerable populations;
• Development and support for the workforce in acute care, primary care and aged care to provide quality palliative care as part of their core business; and
• ACT-based paediatric palliative care.