Eastern Melbourne Region Palliative Care Consortium

Eastern Metropolitan Region Palliative Care Consortium (EMRPCC) is an alliance of palliative care providers in the Eastern Metropolitan Region and includes the Local Government Areas of Boroondara, Knox, Manningham, Maroondah, Monash, Whitehorse and Yarra Ranges.

The Eastern Metropolitan Region Palliative Care Consortium acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government.

Keep an eye on our EVENTS & TRAINING and USEFUL LINKS & NEWSLETTERS pages for new information and learning opportunities.

 

Eastern Metropolitan Palliative Care Consortium members provide services on the traditional lands and waterways of the Wurundjeri people and we offer our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities who live in the Eastern Region. 

 

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Latest Updates

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Changes to Palliative Care medication supply

• Arrotex Pharmaceuticals will soon start producing Ordine (morphine) oral liquid.  Supply shortages will continue in the short-term. Arrotex has advised the TGA that they anticipate a return to normal supply later this year.  9news.com.au (6 March 2024)
• Mundipharma has announced the discontinuation of 9 medications on the Palliative Care Schedule, various doses of MS Mono, Sevredol and Oxynorm included. Palliative Care Victoria (PCV) is working via Palliative Care Australia (PCA) and the Palliative Care Medicines Access Group to advocate for a way forward with this change.
• Maxolon, the only brand of metoclopramide ampoules on the PBS has been stopped by the company. This means that even with a PBS script an alternative brand cannot be supplied and so it effectively becomes a private prescription. If an alternative brand is supplied, the patient will have to pay the full price. A public hospital patient may attract reduced costs depending on hospital policy. As a private prescription, patients with pharmaceutical coverage in their private health insurance cover may be able to claim for it.

The RACGP recommends that GPs use opioid conversion calculators to minimise the risk of harm to patients when substituting products, to seek advice when needed and to ensure that patients are fully informed of any changes.

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Medicare Benefits Schedule changes - Advance Care Planning

GPs and other medical practitioners can better support their patients with advance care planning under new Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Level E consultation items. Level E consultations of 60 minutes or longer allow time to support patients with their advance care planning and improve care outcomes.  More information.

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MyMedicare

MyMedicare is a new voluntary patient registration model designed to formalise the relationship between patients, their general practice, general practitioner and primary care teams. When you register in MyMedicare, your general practice will be notified that you have chosen them as your regular care team.  Additional funding will be available from the government to help them provide the care you need. See the benefits of registering as a MyMedicare patient here. If you choose not to register in MyMedicare, you can continue to access the same quality of care from your healthcare providers. Start the registration process here or ask your practice to register you in MyMedicare. 

From 1 August 2024, GPs and practices registered in MyMedicare will receive an incentive to provide their registered patients who live in residential aged care facilities with regular visits and better care planning. More information. 

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Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED)

The Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) gives access to care for non-life-threatening emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Patients are connected to doctors and nurses via a video call using a phone, tablet or computer with a camera and receive medical advice from the comfort of their homes. Read the Patient Information Sheet

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Scholarship to support Nurse Practitioners and Advanced Practice Nurses to deliver Palliative Care

Applications are open for 5 scholarships worth up to $2000 each to support Nurse Practitioners and Advanced Practice Nurses to deliver palliative care, end-of-life pain management, aged care, oncology and intensive care. Scholarship funds support recipients to attend the 2024 ACNP National Conference (6-8 November 2024). Applications close 27 May. Further information and applications – HERE.

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Guiding principles for safe and high-quality end-of-life care

The Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Health Care has a fact sheet describing the 9 guiding principles that outline a best-practice approach to caring for people approaching the end of their life.

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Residential Aged Care Homes: Get connected with My Health Record

When digital health services are connected, healthcare providers and authorised residential aged care staff can immediately access a resident’s key health information. This connected healthcare will support aged care homes and means their residents can receive better continuity of care. Register your residential aged care home to use My Health Record. Personalised registration support is available from the Australian Digital Health Agency. 

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Shield yourself from Shingles

People aged 65 years and over and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and over can access free shingles vaccination under the National Immunisation Program (NIP). Shingles cause a painful, blistering rash which can lead to long-term nerve pain. In rare cases, it can lead to serious illness. As you age, there is a greater risk of developing shingles and complications. Talk to your health professional about the free shingles vaccine or visit the shingles vaccine webpage. 

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Medical Costs Finder

Medical Costs Finder is a website that will help you find and understand the typical costs of common private specialist services across Australia. 

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60-day prescription information kit for prescribers

Medical practitioners, nurse practitioners and optometrists permitted to prescribe PBS medicines can decide whether 60-day prescriptions are appropriate for individual patients with ongoing health conditions and who are on a stable medication regimen. The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care has released an information kit for prescribers about these changes.

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ELDAC Factsheets about Voluntary Assisted Dying

ELDAC has factsheets that focus on the roles, legal rights and obligations of health professionals and residential facilities concerning voluntary assisted dying (VAD).

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G’day Line

Are you over 50 and seeking new social connections?  You are invited to connect with a G'day Line volunteer to enjoy a friendly and supportive conversation or receive information and resources, support tools and referrals to services that can help with your specific needs or interests. Call toll-free 1300 920 552 8 am to 8 pm (AEDT) 7 days per week. *Note: this is not a crisis or emergency support service. More information. 

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PEPA and IPEPA placements

Aged Care Reverse PEPA Placements Available

PEPA / IPEPA placements support health professionals to improve their skills and develop confidence in caring for people affected by life-limiting illness. Placements are available for healthcare workers from various professions, roles, specialties, and contexts. All Victorian specialist palliative care services are encouraged to contact the PEPA office to notify availability to act as a Host site.

For more information email pepa@qut.edu.au or visit PEPA.

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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander animations on IPEPA YouTube Channel

The videos draw on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural strengths and perspectives to educate and entertain communities and health professionals about palliative care themes in a grass-roots way. IPEPA animation scripts were developed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, palliative care workers and health professionals with experience across healthcare settings.

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23OPCC Resources

Palliative Care Australia has curated inspiring conversations and presentations from 23OPCC to watch whenever and wherever you like. If you attended the conference, log in to the OPCC website to view the Education Hub. If not, you can register for a paid subscription to access the Hub here.

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Eastern Palliative Care (EPC) Biography Program

EPC has launched its Centre for Volunteer Excellence which offers train-the-trainer courses for leaders of volunteers, training for volunteer biographers and mentoring. Learn more about the Centre of Volunteer Excellence here.

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Australian College of Nursing (ACN) Scholarships

The ACN offers a range of Department of Health scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate aged care, nursing and midwifery courses and scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students studying entry-level health courses. Visit the ACN website to learn more about all scholarship opportunities.

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Hospitals - Admitted patient care and specialised facilities for palliative care 

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has released a report of hospitalisations where palliative care was provided with information about these hospitalisations and the characteristics of people admitted from 2015–2016 to 2020–2021. New data from the AIHW shows that hospitalisations for palliative care continue to increase faster than for all hospitalisations. Read more here.

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Reducing barriers to completion of a death certificate

Safer Care Victoria has developed two checklists to reduce barriers to issuing of Medical Certificates Cause of Death (MCCD) in palliative care settings. These checklists are for acute health services when discharging a patient and for admission to community palliative care services. 

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Free translation service for aged care providers

The Department of Health and Aged Care has established a free translation service for aged care providers to help share written information with older people and their families to support making informed decisions about their care.

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Better Care for Residents with My Health Record

The Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) is assisting Commonwealth-funded RACFs to register and use My Health Record. 30-minute free education sessions are available. Learn more. 

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National Advance Care Planning Support Service

Make a referral for your patient or client, their loved one or carer to Advance Care Planning Australia's free phone National Advance Care Planning Support Service. Access a free email advance care planning starter pack or request a printed starter pack by calling the National Advance Care Planning Support Service^TM on 1300 208 582. 

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AUSLAN factsheet

Murray Primary Health Network in partnership with Deaf Hub Bendigo has developed and translated into AUSLAN the Advance Care Planning factsheet.

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Palliative and End of Life Care Advice Service

Specialist nurses and doctors provide free, confidential advice for all Victorians seeking information about life-limiting illness, palliative care or end-of-life care. Call 1800 360 000. For more information visit the Palliative Care Advice Service.

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CareSearch: Palliative care information hub developed with nurses for nurses

CareSearch's Nurses Hub provides practical and actionable support for nurses new to palliative care and those with experience.

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VAD factsheet from End of Life Law Toolkit

This Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) factsheet provides answers to commonly asked questions.

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National Advance Care Planning Week: 18 to 24 March

National Advance Care Planning Week is the perfect time to promote advance care planning and expand your knowledge by exploring free resources, attending webinars or hosting an event. Learn more about advance care planning

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National Palliative Care Week: 19 May to 25 May

National Palliative Care Week is a chance to explore the thinking and conversations that go with it. It coincides with significant and ongoing reforms across the health, aged care and disability sectors and is a great opportunity to highlight the contribution palliative care is and can make.

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Dying to Know Day: 8 August

Dying to Know Day is held on 8 August each year and aims to foster deep conversations about the one thing all humans have in common - death. Read more about Dying to Know Day and The Groundswell Project.  

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Grief Awareness Day: 30 August 

Grief Awareness Day is a perfect time to spread the word that everyone grieves, that grief is normal and natural and that no one should grieve alone. 

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RU OK? Day: 14 September

Conversation can change a life. The RU OK? campaign aims to inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with the people around them. Information and resources

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World Alzheimer's Day: 21 September

World Alzheimer’s Day is celebrated on September 21 each year. On this day, the world concentrates its efforts on creating awareness of Alzheimer’s disease. Watch the Keys Bags Names Words film trailer.

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World Hospice and Palliative Care Day: 14 October

World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is held on 14 October each year and is organised by a committee of the Worldwide Palliative Care Alliance, a network of national and regional hospice and palliative care and regional organisations that support the development of hospices and palliative care worldwide.

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National Carers Week: 15-21 October 

National Carers Week is an opportunity to raise community awareness among all Australians about the diversity of carers and their caring roles. Learn more here.

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Drop the Jargon Day: 24 October

Drop the Jargon Day is an annual campaign initiated by the Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health to spotlight the language used by professionals in healthcare, community services and government sectors. 

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Spiritual Care Week: 22-28 October

To mark this week in 2023, the Spiritual Health Association presented Deep Listening: An Exploration of Mental Health and Spiritual Care.

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International Volunteer Day: 5 December

There are millions of volunteers in Australia and their contributions to communities around the country are enormous. IVD is an opportunity to acknowledge, thank and shine a light on the important work of volunteers.

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