Palliative Care Services Review

Commissioned External Literature Review

Project dates:
Commenced: 2018
Completion Due: 2019

This review was undertaken to inform the development of a future strategic approach to the delivery of palliative care services (PCS). Aims:

• to determine existing evidence relating to demand for PCS in Australia and Queensland (QLD) including identification of unmet need in the context of an ageing population and increasing rates of chronic illness;
• to explore what is considered to be best practice for delivery of PCS, including service types and mix of services provided by PCS;
• to identify key priorities for PCS delivery in Australia; and
• to identify areas of innovation in PCS delivery, including emerging technology and methods of service delivery.

This review used a multidisciplinary focus including a medical, nursing and allied health perspective to examine contemporary Australian and international literature. This review also examined how PCS are funded in Australia, at the Federal and the State and Territory levels.

Project outcomes:

Findings can be found within document at: Queensland Health Palliative Care Services Review – Key Findings March 2019.)