Project provides palliative care support

BALLARAT Hospice Care staff have hare looking back onailed the successful implementation of a pilot initiative designed to improve palliative care practices at aged care services throughout the Grampians region.

Established in 2023, the local Comprehensive Palliative Care in Aged Care Project is about helping aged care staff be better equipped to support residents’ palliative care needs.

Ballarat Hospice Care CEO Andrew Howard said the initiative, initially funded by the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care and the Victorian Department of Health, has been a success.

“This project has demonstrated the value of collaboration in addressing the unique challenges of aged care,” he said.

“We’re proud to be supporting aged care teams in delivering the compassionate and comprehensive care their residents deserve.”

The project’s pilot phase is a collaboration between Ballarat Hospice Care, Grampians Region Palliative Care Consortium, Central Highlands Rural Health, and the Grampians Regional Palliative Care Team through Grampians Health.

The initiative included targeted training programs for three pilot sites during 2023/24 and led to the implementation of the Aged Care Palliative Care website, an online resource for aged care service providers.

A streamlined referral pathway was also introduced for aged care staff, while specialist advice was also provided through in-person or telehealth appointments.

“Our goal is to make comprehensive palliative care a seamless part of everyday practice in aged care,” said Diane Nimmo, the project’s lead and Ballarat Hospice Care’s strategic projects and research manager.

“By fostering early identification and intervention, we can ensure residents receive the care they need at the right time, improving their quality of life and supporting the staff who care for them.”

The project has received additional funding into 2024/25 and the team plans to broaden the initiative’s scope to include Ballarat, Ararat, Horsham, Bacchus Marsh, Stawell and other regions.

For more on the project, contact Ballarat Hospice Care on 5333 1118.