Victorian Palliative Care Alliance (VPCA)
As an outcome of our discussions, fifteen non-profit organisations with touch points across palliative care have come together to form the ‘Victorian Palliative Care Alliance’ with a focus on the delivery of quality palliative care for all Victorians.
With Victoria’s population rapidly ageing and more people living longer with complex health conditions, demand for care is at an all-time high and will only continue to grow. Yet our system is already stretched – today, 62 Victorians will die without receiving specialist palliative care at any stage of the journey.
If planning and investment are not made today, tomorrow’s challenges will be even greater – we simply will not be able to meet the increasing needs of our community if we keep doing things the same way.
AIHW data shows that there will be a 54.6% increase in Victorians over the age of 85 by 2032 and a 150% increase by 2042!
This campaign is a call to invest in smarter, sustainable solutions now, so that every Victorian can trust they will receive the care they deserve today and tomorrow. We need to build a palliative care culture in Victoria; it must become everyone’s responsibility.
VPCA Asks
To address increasing demand for services and rising costs of care, the VPCA are asking candidates and parties to support these three initiatives, noting one initiative does not require funding, simply focus and collaboration from Government.
Make palliative care everyone’s business.
A funded program to ensure all health professionals are educated in their understanding of palliative care, palliative communication and referral pathways. This will include implementing the palliative care pathway for the dying person and using Triggers to identify when patients need end-of-life care.
Provide optimal funding so that all Victorians have equitable access to palliative care.
It is time to fully fund palliative care across the state. We must ensure every person receives care where and when they need it, guided by the refreshed Victorian end-of-life and palliative care framework (2016), population needs, and supported by carers.
Continued support for community education so all Victorians can make informed choices.
Continue to support all agencies including VPCA partners to provide education in palliative care for patients, families, and carers. This empowers those affected to navigate complex medical, emotional and ethical challenges with greater understanding and confidence. This does not require additional funding.
The Victorian Palliative Care Alliance is comprised of the following members:
Ageing Australia
Alliance of Rural and Regional Community Health (ARRCH)
Australian Multicultural Community Services
Cancer Council Victoria
Carers Victoria
Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria
Dementia Australia
Gippsland Lakes Complete Health
Heart Foundation
Lung Foundation Australia
Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Victoria
MS Australia and MS Plus
Palliative Care Victoria
Thorne Harbour Health
Very Special Kids