Victoria appoints first chief palliative care adviser to drive system refresh

Victoria has taken a step towards strengthening its palliative and end-of-life care system, appointing Associate Professor Mark Boughey as the state’s first Chief Palliative Care Adviser.

Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas announced the six-month, fixed-term role this week, confirming Boughey will lead the refresh of Victoria’s End of Life and Palliative Care Framework, first established in 2016.

The move comes amid rising demand for palliative care services and calls from the sector for greater investment, workforce support and policy reform to meet the needs of an ageing population.

“A decade into this work, it is critical to ensure that Victoria’s palliative care policies and service models continue to drive accessible and high-quality care – ensuring Victorians can live as fully and comfortably as possible with their life-limiting illness,” Ms Thomas said.

Refreshing the framework will include broad consultation with people with lived experience, their families and carers, and providers across the health, aged care and community sectors.

The Victorian Government has invested more than $182 million over the past decade in expanding palliative care, including in-home and hospital services and the free Palliative Care Advice Service. However, providers warn that funding growth has not kept pace with demand, and rural and regional access gaps remain.

“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,” Ms Thomas 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.”

Boughey, who has more than 30 years’ experience as a specialist palliative medicine physician, is well known for his leadership at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and the University of Melbourne’s Centre for Palliative Care. He has also served as President of the Chapter of Palliative Medicine at the Royal Australian College of Physicians, mentoring emerging leaders internationally.

“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,” Associate Professor Boughey said.

Sector advocates will be watching the refresh closely, with hopes it will address workforce shortages, improve access in regional areas, and ensure funding models support the delivery of care that meets patient and family needs at one of life’s most critical stages.