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The following article is from the SAVES newsletter, The
VE Bulletin, Vol 17 No 3, November 00
Palliative Care in South Australia
The Minister for Human Services, the Hon. Dean Brown MP, tabled the
seventh annual report on palliative care in South Australia in Parliament
on 11th July 2000. The six previous reports, under the heading "Care of
the Dying in South Australia", were based on recommendations of the 1991
Select Committee on the Law and Practice relating to Death and Dying, which
have now been largely met. The present report is the first to cover progress
in implementing the South Australian Strategic Plan for Palliative Care
from 1998 to 2006.
The 40-page report provides an impressive account of achievements and
initiatives in the provision of public palliative care services and of
priorities for the year ahead and beyond. It describes education and training
opportunities; identifies issues raised by palliative care providers; incorporates
a report on the significant contribution of the Palliative Care Council
of SA; and contains an outline of the law and practice of palliative care
in SA.
The report justifies the claim that "SA is recognised as a lead state
in palliative care, especially in education and the law in this area".
The law referred to is of course the Consent to Medical Treatment and
Palliative Care Act, which offers the not-to-be missed opportunity
to complete an Advance Directive and/or a Medical Power of Attorney, as
discussed elsewhere in this edition.
(The Western Palliative Care Service has published a brochure entitled
'Understanding the Process of Dying: Guidelines for Families'. It provides
helpful information for understanding and anticipating symptoms which may
indicate approaching death. Copies may be collected from the Palliative
Care Council of SA Incorporated, 202 Greenhill Rd Eastwood ... Ed)
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