Date Time
1 in 10 palliative care-related services provided at home
The number of Medicare-subsidised palliative care services received by Australians in their own home almost doubled between 2015–16 and 2019–20, according to a new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
The report, Palliative care services in Australia, shows home visits for palliative care specialist services increased by an average of 18% annually over the 5-year period, with a total of 2,240 patients receiving home visits in 2019–20. However, most palliative care services continue to be received in a hospital or surgery, with these services increasing by 12% over the same 5-year period.
‘Providing palliative care-related services in the home can be important for people with a life-limiting illness and their families, enabling them to remain in or return to their preferred location,’ said AIHW spokesperson Ms. Sushma Mathur.