SA Health Palliative Care Project

We are developing a new and innovative Palliative Care Services Plan and Model of Care Framework for South Australia and we would like your input.

What's being decided?

We are seeking input from the South Australian public and palliative care stakeholders to ensure that the new Palliative Care Services Plan and Model of Care Framework can meet the needs of our community and support us to deliver on the vision of the Palliative Care Strategic Framework 2022-2027.

“All South Australians, their families and carers have access to and receive the best possible end of life and palliative care that places the person at the centre of care and supports them to live and die well in accordance with their individual needs, wishes, values and preferences.”

Background

What has been done so far?

South Australia’s Palliative Care Strategic Framework was launched in December 2021 and contained:

• a vision and goals for the palliative care service system in South Australia
• four priority areas
• specific actions that we will commit to over the next 5 years to shape the palliative care system so that more people can die well in South Australia

Key deliverables identified in South Australia’s Palliative Care Strategic Framework 2022-2027 are a statewide Services Plan and Model of Care Framework which will inform improvements and investment in SA Health administered palliative care services over the next five years. This will deliver best practice holistic and high quality services, with equitable and easy access for all palliative care consumers.

One of the first steps in this work, was to better understand current palliative care service delivery and access across SA, including any opportunities for improvement. The SA Specialist Palliative Care Current State Analysis was completed in March 2023, informed by contributions and stories posted on this YourSAy page by the South Australian public, review of published documentation, data analysis, stakeholder interviews, and a series of case study discussions with ten palliative care consumers and/or their families and carers.

The Current State Analysis Key Findings and Recommendations will soon be made available.

The analysis reveals that within South Australia we have a palliative care system that is dedicated to delivering high quality services and high-quality outcomes for South Australians with life-limiting illnesses. However, clear deficiencies in equity, challenges in accessing elements of the system, an ageing and under-resourced workforce, data related limitations and piecemeal funding have a significant impact on consumer and clinician experience.

What is happening now?

We are developing an action plan to address the recommendations of the South Australian Specialist Palliative Care Current State Analysis.

This will be developed in consultation with the Statewide Palliative Care Clinical Network, and endorsed by the Project Board, for commencement in late-2023.

In addition to findings and recommendations of the Current State Analysis, the action plan and future directions will continue to be strongly informed by the narratives and experiences of South Australia’s palliative care consumers as sourced through the project’s consumer engagement processes including this YourSAy page.

What are the next steps?

This page will be updated as future opportunities for engagement arise. However, if you are interested in providing more direct input or if you have any questions, please contact Lorraine Scorsonelli, Project Manager, at lorraine.scorsonelli@sa.gov.au.

More information on palliative care

If you would like to know about current palliative care services in South Australia please go to the SA Health website or visit Palliative Care SA.