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When you are very ill many people including health professionals may be involved in your care. This may mean that you have to tell your story many times to different people. 

You can have a serious illness for a long time. You may have difficulty remembering the details of all that has happened. Keeping a health diary can help. Write down the date with what symptoms you are having. Include your medications and what helps. Also put in the dates of appointments and any questions you have. If you keep a diary, then tell everyone involved in your care. Then you won’t always have to tell them your story again.

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Of the 470 deaths each day in Australia many are expected. If people who could benefit from palliative care are to have access, then we need to understand that we all have a part to play. This means support and trustworthy information on what to expect and what to do is needed – for everyone. Our latest In-Focus looks at how CareSearch helps patients and families to find information and resources that are relevant to their needs.

Demand for palliative care in the acute care setting is significant and is projected to increase steeply in coming years.
For many health professionals palliative care was not included in their training but to meet demand they will need skills, knowledge, and capability to respond. In our latest In-Focus we look at the evidence and what is expected of clinicians and how CareSearch’s new Acute Care section can support health professionals to provide palliative care across the hospital.

Hospital patients who identify as requiring end-of-life care (within the last 12 months of life) and those in the terminal phase of life where death is imminent and likely within hours or days, or occasionally weeks, and their families and carers need support. CareSearch has developed a new acute care section with evidence-based information and resources to help all clinicians take on this role. Visit the new Acute Care section to find information including:

• Recognising the need for palliative care
• Communication and shared decision making
• Planning for palliative care provision
• Responding to patient needs
• Grief and bereavement.