CareSearch. (2022). Planning for Palliative Care Provision. Retrieved from https://www.caresearch.com.au/Health-Professionals/Settings-of-Care/Acute-Care/Planning-for-Palliative-Care-Provision
CareSearch. "Planning for Palliative Care Provision". CareSearch. Flinders University, 22 Nov. 2022, https://www.caresearch.com.au/Health-Professionals/Settings-of-Care/Acute-Care/Planning-for-Palliative-Care-Provision.
CareSearch 2025, Planning for Palliative Care Provision, viewed 9 January 2025, https://www.caresearch.com.au/Health-Professionals/Settings-of-Care/Acute-Care/Planning-for-Palliative-Care-Provision.
CareSearch. Planning for Palliative Care Provision [Internet]. Adelaide SA: CareSearch, Flinders University; [updated 2022 Nov 22; cited 2025 Jan 9]. Available from: https://www.caresearch.com.au/Health-Professionals/Settings-of-Care/Acute-Care/Planning-for-Palliative-Care-Provision
Organisational readiness is often thought of in terms of policies and guidance to manage care of the dying. [1] In the end-of-life care or terminal care context this includes how to communicate with and provide privacy for patients and families, and how to deliver culturally responsive care. Failure to be prepared can lead to patient safety concerns including: [1]
Visit End-of-Life Essentials accreditation and management modules.
Accreditation and management modules
There are several models, pathways, and frameworks currently used within the acute care setting to guide the delivery of palliative care. These might be adapted for local use. Most guide in-hospital care including transitions between hospital units, and some include transition to external settings such as home or aged care.
As context matters when planning and providing care the following examples are listed according to intended patient group or situation. Access to specialist palliative care is often included but is not always available. State and Territory palliative care advice lines providing external specialist input are also listed below and where needed might be incorporated into plans.
Where patient needs are complex or specialist support for local services is needed, most states and territories of Australia also operate advice lines.
Watch The Mater Hospital Sydney video to hear from health professionals on how personalised and supportive palliative care is delivered.
Video from Mater Hospital Sydney
Elements of effective palliative care models: a rapid review
Palliative care models of care evidence check (513kb pdf)
CareSearch review collection models of service delivery
Last updated 22 November 2022