Assoc. Prof. Glen Kennedy, Acting Executive Director, Clinical Services

Planning for Palliative Care Reform 2023-2028

The Metro North Medicine Stream, in partnership with the Health Service Strategy and Planning unit, is developing a new Palliative Care Service Line Plan 2023-2028. The plan will articulate how Metro North will utilise enhanced funding to increase the palliative care workforce over the next two financial years as part of the Queensland Government Palliative Care Reform Package. Additionally, the plan aims to integrate other palliative care work across Metro North including the Caboolture Hospital expansion and upcoming Cancer Care expansion at RBWH.

This unique Palliative Care Reform opportunity provides a platform to assess the current workforce demands and address inequities in patients accessing Palliative Care. The aim is to bring the Metro North palliative care services in line with the National Palliative Care Strategy and National Standards within a timeframe that allows for recruitment of new positions commencing July 2024.

The funding for these positions will be appropriately distributed across Metro North’s five existing palliative care services (RBWH, TPCH, Redcliffe, Caboolture/Kilcoy and Community and Oral Health) based on the planning outcomes. Consultation with stakeholders will occur over the next six months as part of engagement and communication activities.

If you would like further information about the project or would like to be involved in its development, please contact Leah Thompson (Leah.Thompson@health.qld.gov.au or Metronorth_pallcareplanning@health.qld.gov.au) from the Metro North Medicine Stream.

Glen.