In this submission PCA advocates that all Australians, including people with a disability, have a human right to quality palliative care, when and where they need it. It is essential that people with a disability are supported to receive the best care they can and that their preferences are respected.

The submission outlines the various cultural and social barriers as well as the systems-level barriers that can prevent people with disabilities from accessing palliative care. Research highlights how people with disability want to engage in open discussions about death and dying and be empowered to voice their preferences. However, care providers, including disability support workers, aged care workers, healthcare professionals and specialist palliative care staff do not consistently talk with people with intellectual disability about their dying and death.

Understanding around consent for treatment and decision-making for people with disability can be improved by ensuring that clinicians have the required skills, or access to someone with the skills, to communicate appropriately.

PCA identifies gaps in research and data and makes recommendations regarding improvements to workforce, training and education, and systems and processes to support the palliative care needs of Australians with disabilities.

PCA's Submission to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability