The Allan Labor Government has appointed Victoria's first Chief Palliative Care Adviser, a role tasked with ensuring the state's palliative and end-of-life care system continues to support Victorians and their families.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas today announced that Associate Professor Mark Boughey has been selected for the fixed term, six-month role and will oversee the planned refresh of Victoria's End of Life and Palliative Care Framework, which was first established in 2016.
A decade into this work, it is critical to ensure that Victoria's palliative care policies and service models continue to drive accessible and high-quality care - ensuring Victorians can live as fully and comfortably as possible with their life-limiting illness.
Refreshing the framework 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.
To ensure this work is best aligned with the needs of both the providers and people accessing services, input from people with lived experience, their families and carers, and the relevant sectors will be sought, with consultation to commence shortly.
Associate Professor Boughey comes into the role with more than 30 years' experience as a specialist palliative medicine physician, 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 and their Centre for Palliative Care.
He has also mentored emerging sector leaders in developing countries through his previous role as the President of the Chapter of Palliative Medicine at the Royal Australian College of Physicians.
This appointment builds on the Labor Government's investment of more than $182 million over the past decade to expand access to palliative care, including at-home and hospital services and the free Palliative Care Advice Service.
As stated by Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas
"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."
"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."
As stated by Chief Palliative Care Adviser Mark Boughey
"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."
