Engaging with ACCHOs and stakeholders to understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s experiences of supportive and end-of-life care and develop a national approach to palliative care.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community members face challenging experiences in relation to death, dying, and palliative care. These have significant impacts not only on the person receiving care, but their family and Community. Barriers to accessing palliative care include geographical remoteness, lack of culturally appropriate services, and inadequate resources.

NACCHO has developed an evidence-based analysis of available palliative care programs and resources. This analysis provides a foundation to drive changes required to improve palliative care services in our communities, and make experiencing a life-limiting illness, death and dying a better experience for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Navigating the Evidence; Improving palliative care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people was submitted to the Department of Health and Aged Care in June 2024 and outlines 14 recommendations based on the evidence review and engagement and consultation with the sector. These recommendations are a call for action and requires a collaborative approach and sustainable funding from governments to deliver significant improvements in palliative care services offered to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with life-limiting illness.