High quality end-of-life care a right for all Australians

The AMA‘s updated Position Statement on Issues Arising at the End-of-Life 2023 makes recommendations to ensure patients achieve the best quality of life possible throughout the course of a life-limiting condition.

AMA President Professor Steve Robson said end-of-life care should be timely, patient-centred, affordable, and culturally safe.

“The simple truth is that each of us will inevitably die, and many patients find themselves at their most vulnerable at the end stage of their lives,” he said.

“That’s when they need a team of support co-ordinated by their GP that could include, specialist palliative medicine physicians, other medical specialists, palliative care nurses and pharmacists as well as other allied health professionals and support staff.

“Each of these groups, along with volunteers, family members and carers, as well as religious and other community groups, play a unique and vital support for people with a life limiting illness.”

The AMA position statement says end-of-life care takes place across a range of clinical and community-based settings.

“Everyone, regardless of where they live in Australia should have access to affordable end-of-life care with the support of culturally appropriate support services including trained interpreters, social and home supports, respite care and bereavement support,” Professor Robson said.

Professor Robson said there must be sufficient and adequate planning, funding, training, coordination and clinical governance to ensure the capacity and coordination of the workforce necessary to facilitate this.

“We need to treat the patients as individuals, with respect, dignity and compassion and the AMA’s new recommendations can ensure this happens,” he said.

The updated position statement can be accessed on the AMA’s website.