Decision Assist, the new Australian Government funded service that supports GPs and aged care staff in the delivery of quality palliative care and advance care planning for elderly Australians, was launched in Canberra. The launch marks the start of a two year program which delivers a round the clock telephone palliative care advisory service for residential and community aged care. Aged care providers – GPs, nurses, aged care staff and allied health professionals – can call for real-time assistance from specialist palliative care nurses and doctors where required.
Decision Assist Chair Associate Professor Bill Silvester said that Decision Assist aims to keep older people out of hospital where possible and help them stay in their community – a wish expressed by the majority of those surveyed on the issue. Many at the launch expressed support for the savings to be made in keeping people out of hospital…read more