The Economics of Palliative Care

Parliamentary Friends of Palliative Care

Together with the co-convenors of the Parliamentary Friends of Palliative Care Group, Senator Catryna Bilyk and the Hon Nola Marino MP, and Professor Meera Agar, Chair, Palliative Care Australia (PCA), the March 2021 Parliamentary Friends of Palliative care event explored the need for greater investment in palliative care as informed by the KPMG Palliative Care Economic Report, Investing to Save - The economics of increased investment in palliative care in Australia. Palliative Care through an economic lens – exploring and arguing the need for greater investment discusses the importance of greater investment into palliative care and brings together experts in business, economics, palliative care and health policy.

Hosted by ABC Journalist, Di Darmody, the event also features:

• Jennifer Westacott AO, Chief Executive, Business Council of Australia
• Dr Chris Schilling, Director, Economics & Modelling, KPMG Australia
• Professor Rosemary Calder AM, Professor of Health Policy, Mitchell Institute
• Associate Professor Andrew Broadbent, Medical Director, Supportive and Specialist Palliative Services, Gold Coast Hospital
• Dr Elissa Campbell, Geriatrician, Palliative Medicine Specialist, President, PCWA

KPMG Palliative Care Economic Report

This report, Investing to Save – The economics of increased investment in palliative care in Australia, was commissioned with the assistance of  The Snow Foundation by Palliative Care Australia and prepared by KPMG.

The report calls for an overhaul of the palliative care system in Australia, including an additional annual investment of just over $350 million, which will result in a saving of over $450 million across the broader health care system every year.

The report also calls for a national agreement on palliative care between the Commonwealth and the states and territories, and a new full-time Palliative Care Commissioner, to help create the best experience possible for those with life-limiting conditions and those around them.

The report has been released as part of National Palliative Care Week.

A copy of the report, Investing to Save – The economics of increased investment in palliative care in Australia, can be downloaded here.

Media Release: Calls for palliative care reform in post COVID-19 world

The launch of this video discussing the KPMG report, Investing to Save – The economics of increased investment in palliative care in Australia, includes:

• Mr Rohan Greenland, CEO, Palliative Care Australia
• Dr Brendan Rynne, Partner, Chief Economist, KPMG
• Dr Chris Schilling, Associate Director Economics, KPMG
• Georgina Byron, CEO, The Snow Foundation