Palliative Care

News

PEPA: Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach

PEPA has been offering clinical placements and workshop education in the Northern Territory since 2003 as part of the National Palliative Care program. The program continues until June 2010. For more details visit the PEPA page.

Planning for the Future: Palliative Care in the Northern Territory 2010 Onwards

Forums are being held around the Territory as one way to ask for input into planning and priorities for Palliative Care Services in the Northern Territory. Details of the forums being held are below.

In addtion to the forums, we are also asking for input is through a discussion paper and feedback form.

Download: Discussion Paper - Palliative Care in the Northern Territory (Adobe PDF document - 301KB)
Download: NT Palliative Care Feedback Form (71KB)

Closing date: 9 October 2009

We hope the format allows individual, group, team, and organisation responses. If people would like the opportunity of facilitated discussion please contact our Palliative Care Officer on 08 8999 2778.

Everyone who has an interest or involvement in Palliative Care services is encouraged to give feedback and participate to ensure the unique needs and circumstances of all regions and perspectives are well represented in the overall final Strategy.

The Department of Health & Families would like to thank General Practice Network NT, Carers NT, COTA NT, Masonic Homes, Red Cross, and Anglicare NT for supporting and hosting the forums across the Territory.

About Palliative Care

Palliative care is active care that aims to promote comfort when cure is no longer possible. It offers a positive approach to caring and encourages people to live as full a life as they can when faced with a life limiting illness.

Territory palliative care

Download Newsletter:

• Territory Palliative Care Network News - December 2008 (Adobe PDF document - 4217KB)
• Territory Palliative Care Network News - July 2009 (Adobe PDF document - 3717KB)

Territory Palliative Care is a consultative service providing care for people with a life limiting illness throughout the Northern Territory. There are palliative care teams based in Darwin and Alice Springs:

• Top End - provides services to Darwin Region, Katherine Region, East Arnhem, Daly River Region and Coastal Island Communities of the Top End.
• Central Australia - provides services to Alice Springs and the Barkly Region

Referrals to palliative care

Referrals may be received from a medical practitioner, hospital staff, community services or the patient/family member may self-refer.

After a referral is received an assessment will be undertaken by a member of the team to determine if palliative care is the right service to meet the needs of the client. Once accepted onto the service the palliative care team will work with primary service providers to tailor a suitable plan of care.

Top End:
Building 58 (Menzies Building), Royal Darwin Hospital
PO Box 41326, Casuarina NT 0810
Ph: (08) 8922 6761
Fax: (08) 8922 6775

Central Australia:
Flynn Drive Community Care Centre, Flynn Drive
PO Box 721, Alice Springs NT 08721
Ph: (08) 8951 6762
Fax: (08) 8951 6774

Services offered by Territory Palliative Care

• Community Support
  Palliative Care Physicians, Specialist Nurses and Aboriginal Health Workers support the work of primary medical providers and community nurses to patients residing at their place of residence including residential care facilities. They do not replace existing providers of care but assess needs, provide skilled advice, assist in coordinating community resources and are able to request additional services as required.
  
  The TPC - Top End also has an Allied Health Team (Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, Dietitian, Physiotherapist, Pastoral Carer) who have a specialist primary care role and provide services directly to clients of the palliative care service, as well as a consultation role to primary allied health care providers.
• Hospital Consultation
  Palliative Care Physicians and Specialist Nurses provide a consultative service to Royal Darwin (RDH), Alice Springs (ASH) and Darwin Private Hospital. Outpatient Clinics are also available at RDH and ASH for new patients and follow up of existing patients.
• The Hospice
  The Hospice is a specialised 12 bed short-stay facility located on the grounds of RDH in Darwin. The hospice accepts admissions for active symptom management, as a transition to home from hospital, or for care in the final stage of illness. There is limited access for respite care.
• Bereavement Care
  Support is available to family members and significant others who can access the bereavement service. Central Australia does not currently have designated bereavement staff.
• Volunteer Support
  Specially trained volunteers play an integral role in providing support in the home, in the hospice and during bereavement.
• Education
  Our education programme offers continuing education to staff, other health professionals and the community.
• Research
  Research is an important component of health care delivery. Patients may be approached to participate in one of the current projects. Participation is entirely voluntary and not essential to utilise palliative care services

Primary service providers

There are numerous primary service providers involved in the delivery of palliative care services throughout the NT. They include:

• General Practitioners
• Medical Consultants representing numerous specialties
• Community Care Nurses
• Indigenous Health Care Providers
• NT Carers
• Public and Private Hospitals
• Residential Aged Care Facilities
• Aged Care Assessment Teams
• Remote Health Centres
• Non-government health care provides such as Red Cross, Home Care Services, Private Nursing Agencies
• Complementary Therapists

Advance care planning

• Natural Death Act 1988
• Advanced Care Planning for Territorians (Adobe PDF document - 222KB)
• Statement of Choices Form (40KB)