What is palliative care?

Palliative care is an attempt to look after all the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of someone with a serious illness that cannot be cured.

It does not mean the end of all treatment. It means making choices about which treatments are important, and which are not.

People can receive palliative care in almost all settings where health care is provided, such as hospitals and general practices, as well as in specialist centres such as hospices, and in their own homes. Most people are cared for by their General Practitioners in partnership with other specialists and community palliative care nurses, in close cooperation from family and friends.

In some cases specialist palliative care services are involved, mainly for people with complicated or severe conditions.

Many palliative care services provide specific support not only for the person who is dying, but also for families and carers.

Choices

It is important to understand what palliative care can offer and the range of services available. This will allow you to make better decisions about what kind of care is suitable, where to have it, and when to make a change.

Expert groups advise that even if you are undergoing active treatment, you can still benefit from palliative care, and recommends that doctors and their patients discuss palliative care options. They also recommend that if you have advanced disease, it is important you discuss your prognosis, wishes, values and end of life planning with your doctor.

Another recommendation is that patients coming to a hospital department such as emergency or intensive care needing end-of-life care (palliative care) should, with their family, have a clear plan of the goals of care, as well as their wishes around medical treatment, so this can be discussed with the doctors.

For further information about palliative care recommendations speak to your General Practitioner or visit the Choosing Wisely Australia website.

Finding services

Your General Practitioner, community health centre, or local health department can provide information on palliative care and other relevant care services.

Palliative care services

• See state and territory specific palliative care associations.
• The The Palliative Care Australia directory of services can assist you to find specialist and other palliative care services in your local area.

National and state resources

There are a range of national resources and state resources for people receiving palliative care and their carers - these government and non-government services relate to medical, financial and psychosocial support.

Disease-specific resources

Information from disease-specific organisations.

Last reviewed: April 2017