What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care includes treatment care and support which aims to increase a person’s quality of life and comfort as they experience life-limiting or advanced disease. This involves attention to the physical, psychological, social and spiritual aspects of a person’s wellbeing. 

LGBTIQ+ people and Palliative Care

All LGBTIQ+ people should feel confident that they can access inclusive palliative care that is safe and respectful. The current research indicates that there are many barriers that prevent this. 

LGBTIQ+ Health Australia is currently engaged in a three-year National Palliative Care Project that will build the capacity of the palliative care sector to provide culturally appropriate services to LGBTIQ+ people through: 

• Research - needs analysis report to inform content for education
• Development of educational e-modules targeted at GPs and Practice Nurses
• A dynamic network of Community of Practice groups focused on LGBTIQ+ inclusive palliative care.

Scoping Review

LGBTIQ+ Health Australia has reviewed the literature on palliative and end-of-life care for LGBTIQ+ communities from 2016-2020. This scoping review highlights the barriers faced by LGBTIQ+ people, the facilitating factors that aim to address these barriers, and a focus on what to include in future education and training. The review also highlights areas that require more research and exploration.