Vic appoints chief palliative care adviser to improve model

The Victorian government has made a significant step in bolstering Victoria’s end-of-life care system with the appointment of the state’s first chief palliative care adviser.

Dr Mark Boughey, a distinguished palliative medicine physician with over three decades of experience, will assume the fixed-term six-month role, which has been tasked with overseeing a crucial refresh of Victoria’s End of Life and Palliative Care Framework.

Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas highlighted the importance of this new position in ensuring the state’s palliative care services remain contemporary and sustainable.

“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,” she said.

“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.”

The original framework was established in 2016 and a comprehensive review is necessary to guarantee Victorians continue to receive accessible, high-quality care, according to the Department of Health.

Dr Boughey brings a wealth of experience to his new role, including senior leadership positions at St Vincent’s Hospital Centre for Palliative Care and presidency of the Chapter of Palliative Medicine at the Royal Australian College of Physicians.

“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,” Dr Boughey said.

A key aspect of the framework refresh will involve extensive consultation with people who have lived experience, their families, carers, and relevant sectors.

This inclusive approach aims to align the updated framework closely with the genuine needs of both service providers and those accessing care.

Palliative Care Victoria (PCV) has welcomed the Allan government’s decision, calling the framework refresh a “landmark step for palliative care in our state.”

“We are delighted to see someone of Mark’s calibre, experience, and deep understanding of palliative care taking on this role,” PCV chair Kelly Rogerson said.

“From our perspective, Mark’s appointment signals a clear commitment by the Department of Health to strengthen and modernise palliative and end-of-life care in Victoria. His leadership, combined with the Department’s commitment to genuine consultation, provides a strong foundation for the refresh of the End of Life and Palliative Care Framework.”

As the peak body for palliative care in Victoria, PCV is hoping the new Palliative Care Framework will emphasise inclusive person- and family-centred care, address critical equity of access issues for vulnerable and diverse populations, strengthen the palliative care workforce through sustainability, training, and retention initiatives, and embed high-quality, compassionate palliative care across the entire health system for all Victorians.

“PCV looks forward to contributing actively to the consultation process. We are ready to work alongside Associate Professor Boughey, the Department, our members, and the wider health sector to ensure that the refreshed Framework is ambitious, practical, and responsive to the needs of Victorians – both now and into the future,” Ms Rogerson said.

“This appointment, and the Framework refresh, represent an exciting and important moment for our sector, and we are optimistic about the positive outcomes it will deliver for individuals, families, and communities across Victoria.”