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End-of-life care

The health care that people receive in the last years, months and weeks of their lives can help to minimise the distress and grief associated with death and dying for the individual, and for their family, friends and carers. 

A significant proportion of patients who deteriorate in hospital are deteriorating because they are at the end of their lives, and the care that they receive is not always appropriate.

The Commission has been working to improve end-of-life care by developing resources to support  safe, high-quality end-of-life care. Delivering safe and high-quality end-of-life care is also part of the Comprehensive Care Standard.

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National Consensus Statements

  • Front cover End-of-life care - National Consensus Statement - Adults
    Adults

    The National Consensus Statement promotes safe high-quality end-of-life care.

  •  paediatric end-of-life care consensus statement Front cover
    Paediatric

    The National Consensus Statement promotes safe high-quality end-of-life care.

End-of-life care resources

  • How do I run an audit? icon
    End-of-life audit toolkit

    The end-of-life care audit toolkit is designed to help health service organisations to examine and improve the quality of their end-of-life care.

  • Tools icon
    End-of-life care resources

    The Commission has developed a range of tools and resources to support health services to improve the safety and quality of end-of-life care.

  • External resources

    The Commonwealth, state and territory governments across Australia also produce resources aimed at  improving the safety and quality of end-of-life care.

  • Information for consumers

    Patients, family members, carers and consumers will find useful information on this page.

Further information

For more information on the Commission’s end-of-life care projects contact us on 02 9126 3600 or via AdviceCentre@safetyandquality.gov.au 

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