Background: Allied health professionals have a key role in the care of people receiving palliative care. To date, this role has largely been concentrated within acute care, with allied health expertise and intervention often not directly communicated to patients’ primary care providers. Embedding the principles and design of integrated care to promote shared expertise and communication in models of care. Consideration of intersectionality of integrated care principles and service delivery can define new opportunities in multidisciplinary models of care.

Objective: To implement a new integrated and holistic model of care, the ‘Palliative Care Multidisciplinary Ambulatory Clinic’ which incorporates comprehensive allied health assessment, care planning and communication with patients’ primary health care providers pre and post review. 

Approach: Palliative Care Multidisciplinary Ambulatory Clinic was implemented at a metropolitan general hospital in January 2023 after 8-months of planning.  Led by social work, the team includes a clinical nurse consultant, exercise physiologist, physiotherapist, and occupational therapist. One week prior to the patient’s first appointment, the social worker formally notifies the primary health provider of clinic appointment and requests contribution to guide assessment. During the patient’s first two-hour clinic appointment he/she is reviewed by four to five allied health professionals, who each contributes to a primary health care plan. This plan is then communicated to the patient’s nominate primary health provider within three days. 

Findings: In the first two months, the Palliative Care Multidisciplinary Ambulatory Clinic assessed 10 patients and developed 10 care plans, 100% of which were communicated to the primary care provider within three days. Patients were referred to 21 specialist services, after rapid case conference during the clinic time. 

Conclusion: The new Palliative Care Multidisciplinary Ambulatory Clinic demonstrates how specialist palliative allied health care can be provided and integrated into patients’ primary care. 

Presentation Themes: Driving stronger health care systems & Models of care – implications for the future

This session will look at the challenges facing the palliative care sector around implementing Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation across Australia. Drawing on the experience of those who have been involved in this space, the panel will discuss the complexities and legal, ethical, and educational and practice considerations that go with palliative care and voluntary assisted dying.  

Spiritual care is an integral component of the National Palliative Care Standards in Australia, yet its delivery remains inconsistent across healthcare settings. This inconsistency is particularly evident in end-of-life care, where spiritual well-being can profoundly impact the quality of life. Despite its inclusion in national standards, spiritual care is often relegated to volunteers or other healthcare professionals who may be lacking specialised training. The Spiritual Health Association posits that a dedicated, professional spiritual care workforce is essential for providing consistent, culturally competent, and person-centred spiritual care. Drawing on research, testimonials, and case studies, this presentation aims to challenge and inspire healthcare providers to recognize the discrepancies in current practices and advocate for a professional approach to spiritual care. The presentation will explore the role of spiritual care in holistic palliative care, the benefits of a specialized spiritual care workforce, and will offer actionable steps for organizations to integrate a contemporary model of professional spiritual care into their services. Attendees will be left with a thought-provoking challenge to reflect on their role in elevating the quality of spiritual care in palliative settings. 

Presentation Themes: Models of care – implications for the future & Workforce - the who, what, and how