Opening up discussion about care and treatment preferences early in preparation for death can help palliative care staff to best cater to patient needs and result in less anxiety and grief. Improving awareness of palliative care and advance care planning should improve access to services and help more people to make informed choices about their death. Coordinating these services is a significant challenge.
The Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) released its second palliative care policy in 2011—Strengthening palliative care: Policy and strategic directions 2011–2015 (Strategic Directions). Palliative inpatient services work with other hospital wards and community palliative care services to coordinate patient care.
The end of a person's life is always going to be difficult for them and their families. However, with the right planning, care and support, death can be made easier on all involved. Palliative care is delivered by a range of healthcare professionals and provides this type of support.
 John Doyle Auditor-General |
Audit team Kris Waring—Engagement Leader Caitlin Makin—Team Leader Emily Arthur—Analyst Engagement Quality Control Reviewer Michele Lonsdale |
Ordered to be published
VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT PRINTER April 2015
PP No 28, Session 2014–15
In accordance with section 16A and 16(3) of the Audit Act 1994 a copy of this report, or relevant extracts from the report, was provided to the Department of Health & Human Services, the Department of Justice & Regulation, Ambulance Victoria, the Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board, the Country Fire Authority, the Victoria State Emergency Service, Victoria Police and the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority with a request for submissions or comments.
Figure A1
Dispatch and response process
Source: Victorian Auditor-General's Office.
Figure A1 shows the main phases in the dispatch and response process. Different agencies begin counting their response time at different points in the process, as outlined in Figure A2.
Figure A2
Definition of measures
We examined the extent to which agencies met targets for response times. To provide Parliament and the public with a better understanding of response time performance, we also assessed how long actual responses have taken. In addition, we examined how agencies use response time information to drive improvement and inform government and the public.
Public reports should fairly represent an agency's actual performance. We therefore expect agencies to use reliable and consistent data and calculation methods.