More than 85% of Australians are without an Advance Care Directive and as we face the impact of COVID-19, advance care planning is more important than ever in these uncertain times. In the months ahead, thousands of Australians face the chance of becoming suddenly and seriously unwell.
Advance care planning can reduce a family’s stress as they are more likely to be comfortable with their loved one’s care. This week is National Advance Care Planning Week (Monday 23 March to Friday 27 March) which encourages people to discuss what living well means to them and to consider who they would want to speak for them, if they were too sick to speak for themselves.
There are many tools and resources available to help general practices and patients start the planning process:
- Advance Care Planning Australia recently launched a new consumer video Love Is Not Enough to help stimulate advance care discussions with loved ones
- The Advance Project provides access to free online training and resources for GPs, practices nurses and practice managers through a team-based approach to advance care planning plus palliative and supportive care.
- NSW Ambulance are preparing for the Easter public holidays by encouraging the completion of NSW Ambulance Authorised Care Plans. An Authorised Care Plan allows GPs to provide direction for patient treatment by NSW Ambulance paramedics. The cut-off date for processing plans is Friday 3 April. Please find details of changes to processing of NSW Ambulance Authorised Care Plans which will take effect on Monday 30 March.
- ELDAC (End of Life Direction for Aged Care) have strategies and considerations to foster culturally safe and responsive aged care environments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and residents.
- Dying to Talk also have a ‘Discussion Starter for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’ to guide you through the discussion to help family members make decisions if your patient becomes sick.
- National Palliative Care Services Directory provides information about specialist palliative care services and providers as well as services that provide general palliative care such as general practices and allied health. You can register your service by completing the online form.
For aged care clinical and referral pathways and resources, please view Western Sydney HealthPathways.
To access HealthPathways, you will need the general login details. For more information, please contact our HealthPathways team at healthpathways@wentwest.com.au
For WSLHD and SCHN Staff, please access HealthPathways via the WSLHD/SCHN Intranet Applications page.
This information is correct as of 26 March 2020.