Submission to the Department of Health and Aged Care.

Palliative Care Australia recommends amendments to these final sections of the draft Aged Care Rules to ensure timely, equitable access to palliative and end-of-life care. Specifically, PCA recommends:

• Shorter decision timeframes (maximum 3–5 days) for eligibility and needs assessments for people with advanced life-limiting illness.
• Requiring clinical qualifications for assessors and care managers providing services to participants in the Support at Home End-of-Life Pathway.
• Establishing an exemption process for people who outlive the 16-week End-of-Life Pathway timeframe, to ensure seamless continuation of aged care services after this time.

Aged Care Act Rules, final release