9 December 2021

Aboriginal End-of-Life and Palliative Care Framework released

The End-of-Life Care Program has released the Aboriginal End-of-Life and Palliative Care Framework (PDF 4MB) (the Framework).

The Framework is designed as a best practice guide for health professionals to provide culturally safe end-of-life care for Aboriginal people in WA. It uses a person-centred approach to balance cultural, country, spiritual and medical needs.

Aboriginal traditions, values and cultural practises relating to palliative care and end-of-life transitions must be respected and included to ensure culturally safe and responsive end-of-life and palliative care.

The Framework prioritises working with Aboriginal people through Aboriginal ways of working so palliative care and end-of-life care decision-making represent the needs of the person.

The 6 key priorities areas identified in the WA End-of-Life and Palliative Care Strategy 2018-2028 (PDF 1.42MB) are applied in the Framework to facilitate the person-centred approach that meet the end-of-life and palliative care needs of Aboriginal people.

WA Health and the End-of-Life Care Program are committed to improving the provision of end-of-life and palliative care across the State, to meet the needs of our population.