Palliative Care Victoria

Topics listed alphabetically

Advance Care Planning

• State Trustees provides assistance with planning ahead, including wills, powers of attorney, and financial planning.
• Respecting Patient Choices helps health care professionals to talk to people about living well and the healthcare choices that can be made.
• Take Control – a Guide to Powers of Attorney and Guardianship (2004, 8th ed) PDF includes the forms.
• A Guide to Decision Making in Health Care information about the law and healthcare decision making, includes Refusal of Treatment and Enduring Power of Attorney (Medical Treatment) forms.
• The Office of the Public Advocate online information on enduring powers of attorney and guardianship.
• Caresearch provides a range of information relevant to all states in Australia.

 

Aged Care

• The Australian Government Dept of Health and Ageing Palliative Care current National Aged Care Policy and aged and palliative care documents.
• The Victorian Department of Human Services has the Victorian palliative care policy, aged care direction and relevant information/documents.
• CareSearch links to documents that have summaries of the evidence relating to aged care palliative care provision and reference lists.
• Surviving the maze information sheets written specifically for people who are caring for an older family member or friend.
• The Australian Pain Society link to the’ Pain in Residential Aged Care Facilities’ and the‘Pain Management Guideline Kit for Aged Care’
• National Aging Research Institute (NARI) research into ageing and improving the quality of life.
• The Alzheimers Association position statement on Palliative Care and Dementia / Euthanasia.
• Aged Care and Community Victoria is the Victorian peak aged care body promoting quality aged care.
• Aged Care Victoria residential Aged Care information.
• Gold Standards Framework – Care Homes a UK palliative care quality assurance system.

Carers

• Carers Australia information about ways you can support a carer and how to purchase The Carer’s Handbook: a practical guide to caring for people who are sick, elderly and have a disability (2002) published by Dorling Kindersley, Australia.
• Carers Victoria carer training sessions, a regular newsletter and information available in different languages. You can obtain the free Carer Support kit by telephoning 1800 242 636. Carer support groups are available and can provide social support, information and respite for the carer. Carer counselling service is also available between 9am-5pm by calling 1800 242 636.
• Carer Respite Service available in each region of Victoria.
• Motor Neurone Disease Association support groups for carers.
• The Alzheimer’s Society support groups for carers.
• Department of Health and Ageing leaflet on Managing Health Care and Medication includes questions to ask your doctor and pharmacist.
• Centrelink information on available financial assistance; a carer’s allowance and a carer’s payment.
• The palliative care service in your region may be able to advise you of the most appropriate local carer and respite services.
• What can I say ? – What can I do ? When I know someone who is living with a terminal illness
• The Carer’s Handbook: a practical guide to caring for people who are sick, elderly and have a disability (2002). Call 1800 242 636.
• Supporting the person who needs palliative care: a guide for family and friends (2004) . Send in the order form or you can ask your local palliative care service for a copy.

 

Children

• “Jelly Bean’s Secret”a small story book for children
• The Victorian Paediatric Palliative Care program (VPPCP) information for families about the care of children.
• Kids Helpline counselling (telephone, email or web) for children aged between 5 to 18 years. Phone: 1800 551 800.
• Bereavement care Centre has a specific area on their website to support children.

Communication

• Clinical Practice Guidelines for Communicating Prognosis and End-of-Life Issues (2007) key messages for busy practitioners.

 

Complementary Therapies

• Better Health Channel The Department of Human Services in Victoria.
• Health Insite The Department of Health and Aging.
• NCCAM, the National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, an American based website.

 

Death & Dying

• Americans for the Better Care of the Dying online version of the book Handbook for Mortals – guidance for people facing serious illness (1999).
• On our own terms – Moyers on dying United States website includes information sheets and resources.
• Completing a Life United States website provides information about planning.
• Final Gifts – Understanding and Helping the Dying (1992),  Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelley and published by Hodder & Stoughton. The authors of this book have tried to capture the experience of people moving towards death.

Elder Abuse

• Visit the State Trustees website to find out more about the elder abuse research project they are sponsoring.
  

Ethics

• The Australian and New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine broad guidelines to guide palliative care decision making when addressing some of the issues you may meet in palliative care practice.
• Fast Facts tips on many ethical areas.
• The Office of the Public Advocate guidance when there are advocacy and/or guardianship aspects to decision making.
• Palliative Care Practice and End-of-Life Decisions (Voluntary Euthanasia) a position statement Palliative Care Australia.
• The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne overview of bioethics as applied to paediatric palliative care and in situations where decisions about care are complicated.
• The  Clinical Ethics Resource provides an extensive range of resources addressing the ethical and legal issues experienced by those working in clinical environments. You can search by topic to access guidelines, legislation, case law and position statements/policies of government authorities and professional bodies.

 

Genetic Counseling

• The Genetic Health Services Victoria comprehensive counselling service. Referral can be made by a medical practitioner or an individual.
• The Familial Cancer Center at Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute offers a consultant and referral service for those with cancer.
• The Motor Neurone Disease Association of Victoria information on familial aspects of MND.

 

Grief and loss

• The Australian Center for Grief and Bereavement bereavement information and referral service and practitioner consultancy service. Bereavement counselling, educational courses, educational books & DVDs and information for bereaved adults and children.
• National Association for Loss and Grief (NALAG) Victoria branch state wide telephone counselling and referral service, education and a Practitioner Accreditation Program. Phone 03 9650 3000 or free call country Vic 1800 100 023.
• Banksia Palliative Care Service provides resources for teenagers who are grieving.
• Yellow Pages under Community Health Centres and Services, your local service may provide counselling services.
• Compassionate Friends is a community based organisation developed to support people through grief and bereavement.
• SOLACE is a national organisation that was formed to help people through their grief after the loss of their partners, Phone  (03) 9384 1722.
• Bereavement Care Centre bereavement counselling, educational courses, books & DVDs and information for bereaved adults and children.
• Grief; Understanding and coping with loss Palliative Care Victoria leaflet.
• The palliative care service in your region can provide more information about the services available to the bereaved in your area.

Legal and Financial

• The Chronic Illness Alliance information includes Centrelink Entitlements, Health Privacy, Powers of Attorney, Guardianship, Superannuation, Insurance, Travel Insurance and Wills. For free legal advice about employment, superannuation and insurance entitlements call them on  (03) 9805 9126.
• State Trustees provides financial and legal assistance including Will and Executor Services and Deceased Estates Administration.

 

Medications and Symptom Management

• Therapeutic Guidelines: Palliative Care (version 3, 2010) a complete listing of contents and the publication can be purchased in print or electronic format.
• CareSearch – General Practitioner Pages the medical management of symptoms and advises on the relevant drugs and their appropriate dosages.
• Palliative Medicine Handbook detailed, evidence-based prescribing advice. Note:was written in the UK, and some medications listed may not be available in Australia.
• Department of Health and Aging Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule people receiving palliative care are eligible for prescribing benefits.
• Palliativedrugs.com UK website includes palliative care drug formulary for quick reference.
• Clinician Health Channel gives access to palliative therapeutics, once registered.
• Opioid Conversion Chart simple Australian chart to convert various analgesics.
• Fast Facts and Concepts end-of-life clinical topics for educators and clinicians, End of Life Physician Resource Center (EPERC).
• Calvary Health Care Bethlehem (Victoria, Australia) 22 one page tip sheets to assist with symptom management, opioid and syringe driver use.
• PCV symptom management leaflets useful for both practitioners, patients and carers..
• Edmonton Regional Palliative Care Program (Alberta, Canada) assessment tools, clinical practice guidelines/protocols and palliative care tips.
• Refer to the palliative care service in your region for symptom management advice.

 

Paediatric Palliative Care

• Victorian Paediatric Palliative Care Program: The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH), Very Special Kids (VSK) and Monash Medical Centre (MMC) provides a consultation-liaison team responsible for the facilitation of care of children with palliative care needs and their families.

 

Palliative Care Standards and Cancer Policy

• Palliative Care Standards & Policy direction Palliative Care Australia.
• Strengthening palliative care: a policy for health and community care providers 2004-2009 The Victorian Department of Human Services.
• The Australian Government Dept of Health and Ageing policy direction and other downloadable documents.
• Victoria Government health information has a significant cancer reform agenda.

 

Relationships and Communication

• The Cancer Council Victoria programs for people with advanced cancer and their family, ring 131120 to talk to a cancer support nurse for a confidential discussion, booklet on sexuality can also be downloaded from this site.
• Relationships Victoria offers a service (including telephone counselling) to couples and families.  Call nearest branch by telephoning 1300 364 277.

 

Supportive Care

Carer Education

• Carers Victoria programs for healthcare professionals who provide services to family carers.

Spiritual Care

• Improving Supportive and Palliative Care for Adults with Cancer UK organisation providing recommendations for incorporating spiritual care into practice and for developing a spiritually aware workforce.
  
  Multicultural Palliative Care Guidelines (1999) an overview of the cultural practices of many of the language groups making up the Australian population.

Sexuality and palliative care

• The Cancer Council Victoria helpline 131120 and resources.
• Sexuality for patients and care-givers transcript of an interview between Norman Swan and clinical psychologist Naomi McCormick.
• Chronic illness and sexuality article by Dr Rosemary McInnes published in in the Medical Journal of Australia in 2003.

Medical Requirements

• State Coroner’s Office of Victoria information on the coroners process and the value and process of an autopsy.
• Department of Health information about medical responsibilities in regard to death verification for nurses and paramedics.
• Cause of Death Certification Australia The Australian Bureau of Statistics provides a booklet to guide medical practitioners in completing certificates.
• Department of Justice Registry of Birth, Deaths and Marriages, Victoria has an order form for Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.
• The Victorian Government Health Information information for medical practitioners on certifying death and authorising cremation.

 

Symptom Management

• Mesothelioma features information on asbestos, mesothelioma, and other cancers that are caused by asbestos exposure.
• The Virtual Cancer Centre, an Australian site with information about the symptoms of cancer, also relevant to other illnesses.
• Huff and Puff Victoria is a consumer based group which provides information on oxygen provision and use, and travelling with oxygen.
• MIMs Consumer Health Group search for a GP in your area/region who has an interest in pain.

 

Talking to your doctor

• Asking questions can help a question list to help you to ask your doctor about palliative care and your illness.
• Talking to your doctor. A guide for older people choosing your doctor, good communication and talking about sensitive issues.
• Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing: Tips for working with your doctor tip sheet for those who may have a hearing impairment.

 

Travel

• Palliative Care Australia a national palliative care service directory.
• Chronic Illness Alliance & Maurice Blackman Cashman tip sheet about travel insurance for people who may wish to travel despite their illness.
• Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for tips on Travelling Well.