Palliative care
Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (EMPHN) aims to improve access and offer support to those who need palliative care. Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients (adults and children) and their families who are facing problems associated with life-threatening illness.
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Palliative care in general practice
EMPHN works in partnership with local palliative care services and networks to provide education and facilitate connections between key stakeholders involved in supporting people who need palliative or end-of-life care – in particular, primary care providers, aged care providers and community care providers.
The program aims to improve awareness of underrepresented consumer groups about available palliative and end-of-life care services, and remove the barriers limiting their access to support – specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, those who identify as LGBTQIA+, are from a CALD background, have a disability, or have a non-malignant disease or chronic condition such as dementia.
Palliative Care Access to Core Medicines (PCAM)
The Palliative Care Access to Core Medicines (PCAM) project aims to support palliative care in the community and assists people who wish to die at home through timely access to essential medicines.
The project recruits community pharmacies, which agree to stock the medications most commonly prescribed to control symptoms experienced by people in the final period of their lives. Doing so eases access to these vital medicines, making the process of acquiring them simpler for the families and carers of the dying, as well as reducing discomfort and suffering.
The medications stocked comprise the Core Medicines List, which was drawn up after consultation with palliative care experts. Participating pharmacies are displayed on a PCAM-specific map, allowing prescribers, patients and carers to quickly locate the most convenient supplier.
Palliative care support services
Palliative care aims to improve the quality of life of adults and children with life-limiting illnesses. It prevents and relieves suffering through the early identification, correct assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, whether physical, psychosocial or spiritual.
EMPHN recognises that palliative care is a highly specialised area of healthcare that prevents and relieves suffering, through early identification, correct assessment and treatment of pain and other problems. To support individuals requiring palliative and end-of-life care, EMPHN provides funding for a range of programs and recommends a selection of independent resources available across the catchment.
Supporting palliative care in general practice
EMPHN offers training, programs, and resources to help practitioners stay updated in palliative care.
Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life for individuals with life-limiting or terminal illnesses through active and supportive measures.
We work with local health providers to identify service gaps and develop strategies for a coordinated, multi-disciplinary approach to palliative care in our region.
MBS Billing Guide – General practice
MBS Billing Guide – Residential aged care
Palliative Care Victoria Cultural responsiveness
Eastern Palliative Care
Eastern Metropolitan Region Palliative Care Consortium (EMRPCC)
Palliative Care LGBTIQA+ Inclusive eLearning
Palliative Care Advice Service
Victorian Virtual Specialist Consults
Palliative Care HealthPathways Melbourne
Community of Practice (CoP) for palliative care in general practice
The Community of Practice (CoP) for palliative care in general practice, an initiative by EMPHN, encourages capability and capacity building in palliative care for GPs in the catchment area.
Partnering with Eastern Metropolitan Region Palliative Care Consortium (EMRPCC) and Eastern Palliative Care (EPC), this initiative aims to elevate best practice and enhance palliative care capabilities within our community.
The initiative aims to:
- Provide a forum for general practitioners interested in palliative care to network with each other.
- Provide opportunities for general practitioners to build relationships with community and acute palliative care providers.
- Offer support and ongoing professional development for general practitioners in palliative care.
- Improve general practitioners’ confidence in palliative care work.
- Create a forum to improve care pathways with Residential Aged Care Homes.
Meetings are held every two months, lasting one to two hours, with a mix of online and in-person sessions hosted by EPC in Mitcham. The format of these meetings will be adapted based on feedback from members during our inaugural gathering.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a dynamic and supportive community focused on improving palliative care. Join us in making a meaningful impact in palliative care within our region. Please note this is a RACGP CPD accredited activity.
To express your interest, please email palliativecare@emphn.org.au.