Ms Jen Mckenzie1, Ms Eithne Moriarty, Ms Di Savage, Ms Maree Montgomery
1Mlhd, WAGGA WAGGA, Australia
Abstract:
Background:
MLHD Specialist Palliative Care (SPS) is a community-based service. Restructure in 2017 enabled the development of a district wide model of care, but in reach SPC consultancy was inconsistent and not timely.
Aim:
To expand Specialist Palliative Care coverage to Provide Equitable and Accessible coverage to inpatients in MLHD facilities
Methods:
Demand and capacity data identified a service gap that allowed engrained inequity and inconsistent specialist palliative care provision to inpatients. MLHD SNAP and PCOC data review to identify demand for inpatient palliative care. A literature review was attended and business case developed to access NSW Health enhancement funding. The Virtual Service Model developed divided the LHD into two sectors to facilitate equitable coverage and workload. A multifaceted communication and education strategy was employed to promote knowledge and use of service.
Results:
1.6 fte palliative care CNS2 positions commenced work in early 2025. Occasions of service have been distributed across all inpatient facilities. Issues identified have been flagged as education topics for rolling Palliative Care Education Program with goal to build capacity of generalist clinicians. Patients with complex needs are identified and escalated for face-to-face specialist palliative care review, also incorporating targeted education for facilities. Community palliative care clinician is now focused on community-based patients and continuum of care occurs via the virtual service. Built in review processes has adjusted data collection, survey’s satisfaction with virtual care and identified triggers for escalation to palliative care prescribers and senior clinicians.
Conclusion:
Early results indicate that Virtual Palliative Care is providing equitable access to specialist palliative care across MLHD. The service provides a bridge for patients moving between acute care and the community and has raised the profile of MLHD Specialist Palliative Care.