Group links reform to culturally safe palliative care

Palliative Care Australia has welcomed the Australian Government’s plan to create the first permanent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Commissioner, calling it an important move for safer and fairer care for older First Nations people.

The organisation also backed the Government’s response to the landmark report, Transforming Aged Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. That response commits to ongoing reform designed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities and the aged care sector.

The announcement also includes the appointment of Jodi Cassar PSM as Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner. She will serve while legislation for the permanent position moves ahead and a formal appointment process is completed.

Dr Chris Hatherly began as chief executive officer of Palliative Care Australia on 30 July 2024 and tied the reform directly to end-of-life care. He noted that many older Australians use aged care services in their final year of life, so changes to the system will affect palliative care as well.

“Every Australian deserves care that reflects who they are, their culture, their values and what matters most to them,” Dr Hatherly said.

He said that for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, good care must respect connection to Country, family, community, culture and identity across the whole care journey, including at the end of life.

Andrea Kelly and Jodi Cassar PSM

Palliative Care Australia also recognised the work of inaugural Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner Andrea Kelly. Her consultations with Elders, families, carers, communities and providers helped build the base for the next stage of reform.

According to Dr Hatherly, lasting change depends on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people leading and informing the decisions that affect them. He welcomed the Government’s pledge to keep working with First Nations communities, Elders and the sector.

The group said high-quality palliative care must also be culturally safe. In practice, that means respecting cultural practices, supporting informed choice, involving family and community when the person wants that support, and recognising that each end-of-life journey is different.

“These reforms must help ensure culturally safe, trauma-aware and responsive care is embedded across the full aged care journey, including palliative and end-of-life care,” Dr Hatherly said.

Palliative Care Australia said it wants to work with the interim commissioner, the future permanent commissioner, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations, governments and First Nations communities. Its aim is to improve access to culturally safe palliative and end-of-life care across Australia.