Palliative care recognises the special needs of a person with a terminal / life-limiting illness.
The focus of care is on improving the quality of life of clients by assisting with their symptoms and helping them to make changes that will make life easier and more comfortable.
Palliative care aims to support the person to have control of their treatment options and offers support for their carer, family and friends.
It involves trained professionals providing various types of care which may include specialist palliative care doctors, nurses, family support workers, bereavement family support workers, music, massage and occupational therapists. The delivery of care is also supported by specially trained volunteers.
Palliative care is provided in the person’s own home, including residential aged and disability care facilities, depending on where the person is living and where they choose to have their care provided at the end of life.
Palliative care complements the range of medical treatments and services currently available.
Palliative Care:
•    Affirms life and regards dying as a normal process
•    Neither hastens nor postpones death
•    Provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms
•    Integrates the physical, psychological, social, emotional and spiritual aspects of care
•    Offers a support system to help people live as actively as possible until death
•    Offers a support system to help the family cope during the person’s illness & their own bereavement
•    Palliative care is provided to people of all ages who are dying.

Palliative care helps people living with serious illnesses that are likely to shorten their life. For example: heart, lung and kidney diseases, motor neurone disease, cancer, and dementia. People of all ages, cultures and beliefs can benefit from palliative care, which respects their needs and wishes.

Palliative care offers expert care to relieve a person’s pain and suffering, and to respond to their social, emotional, cultural, and spiritual needs. Support is also available to family and friends providing care.

EPC can start providing our free services when you are in the last year of life Click Here to Make a Referral to our service.

Health professionals work together to provide palliative care. They include your GP, specialist doctors, nurses, social workers, physiotherapists, occupational and speech therapists, spiritual carers and volunteers. Who is involved in your care will depend on your needs.

EPC provides palliative care in the person’s own home, depending on where the person is living and where they choose to have their care provided at the end of life.  This includes residential aged and disability care facilities.

Clients are referred by treating doctors, hospitals, specialists, allied health professionals, by self or by family members and friends. Referrals can be made on our website or via your health care professional.

EPC services are provided free-of-charge. There may be some costs for medicines, supplies or equipment depending on your needs, if these are not fully funded by Government or private-health insurance.