Consider specific populations and culturally safe practices
Primary healthcare is a central part of community health services in NSW. End of life and palliative care is best managed when it is integrated and provided in partnership with the person’s general practitioner and primary healthcare practice.
In order to meet the identified key actions of 24/7 access to support, place of death, and grief and bereavement support, strong partnerships are required between local health districts and Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network in order to ensure equitable access for this vulnerable and under-served population.
NSW Ambulance delivers emergency response services to the community, including through partnering with providers as an integrated part of a wider system. For many people in need of health support, NSW Ambulance is the first point of contact into the NSW Health system.
Strong partnership and collaboration with providers to enable local pathways which support people to die in the place of their choosing, where it is safe and feasible to do so, is an important role of NSW Ambulance.
Culturally safe practices include actions which recognise and respect the cultural identities of others and safely meet their needs, expectations and rights. Whereas culturally unsafe practices diminish, demean or disempower the cultural identity and wellbeing of an individual. Cultural safety considers an environment that is spiritually, socially and emotionally safe, as well as physically safe for people; where there is no assault, challenge or denial of their identity, of who they are and what they need. It is about shared respect, meaning, knowledge and experience.
Cultural competenceis the ability to participate ethically and effectively in personal and professional intercultural settings. It requires being aware of one’s own cultural values and world view and their implications for making respectful, reflective and reasoned choices, including the capacity to imagine and collaborate across cultural boundaries. Acquiring the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to operate effectively.
The following links skip to section headingsPriority populations Guiding principles COVID-19 Video resources
A practical guide to Palliative Care in paediatrics
A guide for children, parents, community members and health professionals in how to address the fears, concerns and questions dying children and families have about what will happen to them.
Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service | Information | 2014
Directory of paediatric clinical guidelines and tools
NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation | Educational | 2021
NSW Paediatric Palliative Care Programme
Information for the community on paediatric palliative care and the support that is provided to children or young people who have a life-limiting illness, as well as resources for families and health professionals.
Sydney Children's Hospital Network | Toolkit | 2021
Paediatrics: Paediatric Palliative Care
Practical information about paediatric palliative care to families who have a child with a life-limiting illness, as well as the people who support them.
Palliative Care Australia | Information | 2020
... Country Can't Hear English...': A guide to implementing cultural determinants
How to implement contemporary cultural determinants of health. These have relevance not only for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, but for all Australians interested in achieving health outcomes and linking these achievements to healthy natural environments.
Karabena Consulting | Service development | 2020
Culturally appropriate palliative care and end-of-life care
A portal for information and resources across the wide range of indigenous health matters, specifically palliative and end of life care.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet | Information | 2021
Resource to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to reflect on their values and preferences for end-of-life care and communicate these to their family.
Palliative Care Australia | Educational | 2021
Comprehensive information on a range of tools, specifically in relation to supportive care needs via the Supportive Care Needs Assessment Tool for Indigenous People
Cancer Australia | Information | 2021
Providing end-of-life care for Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Outlines practical considerations for providing person-centered palliative care for Aboriginal peoples, Torres Strait Islander peoples and their respective families, while being respectful of intercultural variations and individual choices.
Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach | Educational | 2021
A booklet which has been produced to improve the effectiveness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Iskander people's journey through the system for those that are affected by palliative illnesses.
Hunter New England Local Health District | Information | 2019
Provides guidance for legal practitioners advising an Aboriginal person to create a Will, through culturally sensitive planning ahead documents.
NSW Trustee & Guardian | Educational | 2020
Helpful, practical information and support for carers of people at end of life, as well as links to useful organisations and websites.
Carer Gateway | Information | 2021
Taking care pf business: Planning ahead for Aboriginal people in New South Wales
A guide for Aboriginal people seeking information about advance care planning and where they can go for help.
NSW Trustee & Guardian | Information | 2015
NSW Aboriginal Land Council: Funeral Fund
Information on how Aboriginal people can claim support for funeral cost via the NSW Aboriginal Land Council's grants scheme.
New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council | Information | 2021
The Aboriginal Funeral Trasport Program
Provides assistance with transport for isolated and disadvantaged Aboriginal communities to attend funerals within NSW.
Transport for NSW | Information | 2021
During Sad News and Sorry Business: Information for family
Provides information and practical ideas to Aboriginal people about things to do before and after a death.
Queensland Health | Information | 2015
Resource for health services providing advice on cultural practices and considerations after an Aboriginal person has died.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet | Service development | 2021
Provides general guidance for carers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people faced with death, including expected costumes and practices.
Queensland Health | Information | 2015
Working with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Grief and Bereavement: A Resource for Workers
Provides general guidance for health professionals, relating to grief and bereavement practices in both regional and urban Aboriginal communities.
Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement | Information | 2021
Cancer Institute NSW funding project with a directory of cancer resources and websites for members of Mandarin and Cantonese speaking communities.
CanRevive | Information | 2015
Death & Dying - Religious and cultural considerations
Information for health professionals and community members regarding cultural and religious considerations in death and dying.
Transcultural Services Eastern Health, Victoria | Information | 2013
Multicultural Palliative Care Guidelines
Guidelines for increasing community awareness in culturally and linguistically diverse background by providing information on palliative care.
Palliative Care Australia | Information | 1999
Information in community languages for patients and families on palliative care and services for people with a life-limiting illness.
NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service | Information | 2015
Palliative Care podcasts in non-English languages
Series of audio programs to help multicultural families and their loved ones discuss end-of-life and palliative care.
NSW Ministry of Health | Information | 2020
Holds on-air discussions about aged care options in 25 languages across 80 ethnic radio stations, about living well in Australia.
The Ethnic Communities' Council of NSW | Information | 2017
Hiding who I am: The reality of end of life care for LGBT people
Policy guideline for health and community services to deliver quality palliative and end of life care to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Marie Curie (UK) | Service development | 2016
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex
Information and tips for health professional in how to respond appropriately to LGBTI communities, in the provision of palliative care.
CareSearch | Information | 2018
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI): Australia's ageing LGBTI population
An overview of issues facing LGBTI populations in the provision of aged and palliative care.
End of Life Directions for Aged Care | Information | 2020
Gives a brief overview of best practice in the delivery of healthcare to lesbian, gay and bisexual service users.
Royal College of Nursing UK & UNISON | Service development | 2021
An overview of palliative care and the barriers LGBTIQ+ communities face when accessing palliative care services.
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia | Information | 2021
End of Life Directions for Aged Care
Provides information, guidance, and resources to health professionals and aged care workers to support palliative care and advance care planning to improve the care of older Australians.
End of Life Directions for Aged Care | Educational | 2021
A directory of information and resources for patients, carers and families to access specialist palliative care services, including support through existing aged care services.
My Aged Care | Information | 2021
Palliative care evidence and practice information resource for the Australia aged care sector, including the provision of support for health professionals and care workers.
Flinders University | Service development | 2021
Adapting your practice: Recommendations for end-of-life care for people experiencing homelessness
Practice adaptions and recommendations for healthcare professionals and other staff to enhance the provision of end-of-life care for homeless populations.
Health Care for the Homeless Clinicians' Network (USA) | Service development | 2018
Caring for people experiencing homelessness at end of life
Information for healthcare professionals to support homeless people towards the end of life.
Marie Curie (UK) | Information | 2020
Homeless Palliative Care Toolkit: Identifying clients of concern
Aims to support staff working with homeless people who have advanced ill health.
St Mungo's (UK) | Toolkit | 2021
Resources to support safe, high-quality end-of-life care, which is also a key part of Standard 5: Comprehensive Care.
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care | Service development | 2019
End-of-Life Care Audit Toolkit
Designed to help health service organisations to examine and improve the quality of their end-of-life care.
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care | Toolkit | 2019
End-of-life care external resources
Links to commonwealth, state and territory government resources to improve the safety and quality of end-of-life care.
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care | Information resource | 2019
A guide for patients, carers and families that explains the 10 elements for safe and high-quality end-of-life care.
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care | Information resource | 2019
The features that are required in systems to ensure safe and high-quality care for paediatric patients who are approaching the end of life.
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care | Service development | 2016
National Consensus Statement: Essential elements for safe and high-quality end-of-life care (Adults)
The features that are required in systems to ensure safe and high-quality care for patients who are approaching the end of life.
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care | Service development | 2015
Tools and resources for health services on end-of-life care
A range of tools and resources to support health services to improve the safety and quality of end-of-life care.
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care | Service development | 2019
End-of-life education modules to assist acute care clinicians meet the challenges of providing end-of-life care.
Flinders University | Educational resource | 2021
Health service organisations can use the audit tool and surveys together to provide a complete picture of end-of-life care at their facility.
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care | Service development | 2019
Far West NSW Palliative and End of Life Model of Care
Flowchart, created in partnership with the Western NSW Primary Health Network, which details the recommended interventions for each phase of the palliative and end of life care trajectory.
Far West Local Health District | Service development | 2019
Consolidates the exemplary elements of best practice in the social and emotional wellbeing space, to be used by Aboriginal Service Providers across NSW.
Mental Health Commission of New South Wales | Service development | 2020
A tool for health services to self-assess whether their localised models of care meet the essential components of care, in palliative and end of life care.
NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation | Service development | 2021
Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration: Accreditation, standards, quality
Information for health services to help them address safety and quality standards and achieve and maintain accreditation.
University of Wollongong | Service development | 2021
Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration: Symptom Assessment Scale (SAS)
A self-reported outcome measure for patients to self-report the level of distress caused by common symptoms.
University of Wollongong | Service development | 2021
SHAPE End of Life Conversations
Provides health professionals a step by step communication framework to conduct effective end of life conversations with patients, families and carers.
Health Education and Training Institute | Educational resource | 2020
Provides a series of recommendations and suggestions to ensure continued high-quality clinical care in the setting of a pandemic.
Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society | Service development | 2021
Projects aim to improve the quality of palliative care service delivery for all Australians by developing resources to support carers and families to help manage breakthrough symptoms safely at home.
Brisbane South Palliative Care Collaborative | Service development | 2021
Information for patients and the wider community on COVID-19, likely symptoms and at-risk groups.
CareSearch | Information | 2020
A comprehensive list of COVID-19 updates and resources, including information from the Australian COVID-19 Palliative Care Working Group collaboration.
Palliative Care Australia | Information | 2020
End of Life Essentials: COVID-19 Resources
Resources to assist health care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Flinders University | Educational | 2020
Clinical issues in end of life dementia care
A decision making framework can guide some of the difficult clinical decisions in end of life dementia care.
Dr Elspeth Correy Supportive and Palliative Medicine Consultant, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre Westmead Cancer Services, Blacktown and Mt Druitt Hospitals
This presentation gives a powerful insight into the nature of suffering and what this really means for the patients in our care.
Prof Rod MacLeod Retired Senior Staff Specialist, Palliative Care HammondCare
A presentation on the way palliative care is delivered for the paediatric population.
Dr Susan Trethewie Staff Specialist, Paediatric Palliative Care Network, Head of Palliative Care, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network
Primary care services and GPs – how to improve quality of life for patients
How primary care services & GPs work with patients and specialist services to support end of life care.
Caroline Belfanti Nurse Manager Community Palliative Care Team, Calvary Health Care Kogarah
Special seminar on enhancing primary palliative care
A presentation on research conducted in Primary Palliative Care
Professor Geoffrey Mitchell Emeritus Professor of General Practice and Palliative Care, University of Queensland
Care of people from different faiths
Due to the secular nature of Australian culture, pastoral care needs to provide support to people from different faiths.
Mary Ashton Pastoral Care Manager, Calvary Health Care Kogarah
Mandy Muir Pastoral Care Worker, Calvary Health Care Kogarah
Communicating hope near the end of life
Health professionals need to be aware of the significance of hope for patients and families when living with a life limiting illness.
Dr Matra Robertson Allied Health and Academic Team Leader, HammondCare North
The place of spiritual care at the end of life
Spirituality means different things to different people. This interview asks how spiritual care fits into palliative care.
Professor Rod MacLeod Retired Senior Staff Specialist, Palliative Care HammondCare
Palliative care and culturally and linguistically diverse communities
A conversation about the importance of consideration of culture in end of life care.
Dr Astrid Perry Head of Women Equity and Domestic Violence, Settlement Services International