Palliative Care Australia welcomes move to establish permanent First Nations Aged Care Commissioner

Palliative Care Australia (PCA) says the Australian Government’s move to establish the first permanent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Commissioner role is an important step towards safer, fairer and more culturally responsive care for older First Nations people.

PCA also welcomed the Government’s response to the Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner’s landmark report, Transforming Aged Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, which commits to continuing reform in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities and the sector.

Commencing today as Chief Executive Officer of Palliative Care Australia, Dr Chris Hatherly said the announcement recognised that culturally safe care is fundamental to quality care, particularly for people approaching the end of life.

“Every Australian deserves care that reflects who they are, their culture, their values and what matters most to them,” Dr Hatherly said.

“For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, that means care that respects connection to Country, family, community, culture and identity throughout their care journey, including at the end of life.”

“We welcome the Government’s commitment to establish a permanent independent Commissioner and to continue working with First Nations communities, Elders and the sector to shape aged care reform.

“Lasting change is only possible when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are leading and informing the decisions that affect them.”

Dr Hatherly said the announcement was highly relevant to palliative and end-of-life care, with many older Australians relying on aged care services in their final year of life.

“High-quality palliative care must also be culturally safe. That means respecting cultural practices, supporting informed choice, involving family and community where the person wishes, and recognising that every person’s end-of-life journey is unique.”

“These reforms must help ensure culturally safe, trauma-aware and responsive care is embedded across the full aged care journey, including palliative and end-of-life care.”

PCA acknowledged the leadership of inaugural Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner Andrea Kelly, whose extensive consultation with Elders, families, carers, communities and providers has helped lay the foundations for this next phase of reform.

PCA also welcomed the appointment of Jodi Cassar PSM as Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner while legislation establishing the permanent role progresses and an appointment process is undertaken.

Dr Hatherly said PCA looked forward to working with the Interim Commissioner, the future permanent Commissioner once appointed, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations, governments and First Nations communities to improve access to culturally safe palliative and end-of-life care across Australia.

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Palliative Care Australia is the national peak body for palliative care.