Delivering better palliative care
Choice and flexibility are key factors which should be incorporated into the health system for all Australians, chair of the Australian General of Practice Network, Dr Emil Djakic, says. The comments came on World Hospice Day, marked recently, where he spoke about the importance of Medicare Locals in reorganising and restructuring palliative care in Australia.
Choice and flexibility are key factors which should be incorporated into the health system for all Australians, chair of the Australian General of Practice Network, Dr Emil Djakic, says.
Dr Djakic’s comments came on World Hospice Day, marked recently, where he spoke about the importance of Medicare Locals in reorganising and restructuring palliative care in Australia.
“By providing a better quality of care and greater access to primary healthcare services in local communities, which includes the quality and standard of palliative care, people facing end of life treatment will, over time, have greater choices for treatment at home for as long as possible,” Dr Djakic says.
Medicare Locals is set up to assess the health service needs in the community, with local hospital networks to work towards reducing the service burden on hospitals.
“A hospice is not always the preferred choice for some patients, likewise a person may not wish to be at home at the end of life; regardless of individual circumstances, choice is the key factor and flexibility should be incorporated into the health system for all Australians,” Dr Djakic claims.
Over time, and in consultation with clinicians, Dr Djakic believes Medicare Locals across the nation will be in a position to plan service and community needs for palliative care, and to “broaden the choice of services available at a local level”.
“A significant component to providing a higher quality of community care is coordinating the range of services needed, including psycho-social services for patients, family and carers, and improving the referral pathways to specialist services.
“A holistic approach to palliative care is needed, and to deliver a comprehensive, integrated system, Medicare Locals will identify the gaps and work towards building up the services to recreate a better and sustainable palliative care system,” Dr Djakic says.
