Victoria's first Chief Palliative Care Adviser to oversee framework refresh

To oversee the planned refresh of its End of Life and Palliative Care Framework, Victoria has appointed Associate Professor Mark Boughey its first Chief Palliative Care Adviser — in a fixed term, six-month role.

First established in 2016, the state government said End of Life and Palliative Care Framework refresh “will provide a renewed focus on this type of care and ensure Victoria’s service system remains contemporary and sustainable into the future, so that it can continue to offer choice to Victorians who are approaching the end of their life”.

Boughey brings more than 30 years’ experience as a specialist palliative medicine physician to the role. Well known for his contributions to the sector, including as an Associate Professor at The University of Melbourne and senior leadership roles at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and their Centre for Palliative Care.

“Appointing our first Chief Palliative Care Adviser marks a major step forward in ensuring every Victorian has access to compassionate, high-quality palliative and end-of-life care that reflects their personal choices and values,” Victoria’s Minister for Health, Mary-Anne Thomas, said.

“Associate Professor Boughey’s expertise will help us modernise palliative and end of life care in Victoria, and help ensure our system remains responsive, respectful, and sustainable for all Victorians into the future,” Thomas added.

As part of the refresh — to ensure this work is best aligned with the needs of both the providers and people accessing services — input will be sought from the relevant sectors and people with lived experience, their families and carers, with consultation to commence shortly.

On the appointment, Boughey said: “I look forward to working closely with the Government and across the sector to develop a refreshed framework that is integrated into all areas of health care, with people accessing palliative care services feeling valued and understood.”

Image credit: iStock.com/LaylaBird