Palliative Care Australia (PCA) and Palliative Care Nurses Australia (PCNA) have made a submission to Cancer Australia on the draft Australian Cancer Plan (2023 – 2033). Access to appropriate palliative care is an essential component of the spectrum of care needed by people with a cancer diagnosis. PCA’s submission emphasises the need for access to specialist palliative care and also the need for all health professionals to have knowledge and understanding of the role of palliative care and the support it can provide to people with a life-limiting diagnosis and their loved ones. The submission outlines the need for seamless transitions between curative treatment and palliative care for cancer patients emphasising the benefits of early referral to palliative care and good communication between clinicians and health systems. Other topics raised in the submission include:

• Links to the National Palliative Care Standards for All Health Professionals and Aged Care Services
• Definition of palliative care to appropriately reflect that palliative care goes beyond just care at the end of life
• Genetic counselling
• Paediatric palliative care
• Advance Care Planning

A joint submission from Palliative Care Australia and Palliative Care Nurses Australia

6 February 2023