Palliative care supports people living with a life-limiting illness to live well and experience the best possible quality of life. It takes a holistic approach, addressing physical, emotional, social, cultural and spiritual needs, while also supporting families, carers and loved ones.
Through the Australian Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s Greater Choices for At Home Palliative Care program, Murray PHN is helping to build compassionate communities where people are supported to remain connected, informed and cared for in the place they choose. This webpage provides information about Murray PHN initiatives, including resources that empower community members to play an active role in supporting people through serious illness, end-of-life care, death and bereavement.
Our work
Building compassionate communities
Murray PHN is committed to building compassionate communities by improving death literacy and supporting people to have informed conversations about death, dying, grief and bereavement.
Through the Greater Choices for At Home Palliative Care program, we partner with community organisations and subject matter experts, including End of Life Doulas, to deliver workshops, education sessions and community events that help people better understand palliative care, future planning and available supports. Initiatives include:
- Community education workshops, such as Hope for the Best, Plan for the Rest.
- Death Cafés that provide safe, informal spaces for conversations about death, dying and loss.
- Activities such as ‘Dying to Know Days’ that build confidence in advance care planning and end-of-life decision-making.
- Resources that support individuals, families and communities to navigate serious illness, caring, grief and bereavement.
By increasing awareness, knowledge and confidence, we are helping create communities that are better equipped to support one another through all stages of life, death and loss. Read more about compassionate communities here.
Accessing and navigating palliative care
Regional Palliative Care Services
Local specialist palliative care services offer assistance and a wide range of supportive services either in the home, aged care or hospital setting.
Victorian Palliative Care Advice Service
All Victorians seeking information about life-limiting illness, palliative care or end-of-life care, including clinicians, families and patients can access free and confidential advice via this service.
Virtual Emergency Department (VED)
Avoid unnecessary trips to hospital by accessing urgent health support, clinical advice and assessment from emergency doctors and nurses for non-life-threatening health concerns. Available free via video call, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Victorian Statewide Voluntary Assisted Dying Navigator Service
Voluntary assisted dying navigators are senior nursing and allied health clinicians with experience and expertise in discussing and supporting voluntary assisted dying. Their details are publicly available and can be contacted by any healthcare provider, patient, family or other community member. The navigator service is available during normal business hours.
- Loddon Mallee Region Voluntary Assisted Dying Care Navigator, e: vad@bendigohealth.org.au or t: 0459 261 204
- Hume Region Voluntary Assisted Dying Care Navigator, e: vadcarenavigator@nhw.org.au or t: 0408 208 953
Palliative Care Victoria
Individuals, family, carers and health professionals can access information, support, education and resources from the Victorian peak body for palliative care and end-of-life care.
For more information
- Jade Cartwright, Lead Palliative Care e: jcartwright@murrayphn.org.au