Underfunded palliative care could turn Queenslanders to euthanasia

Experts say inadequate palliative care could drive the terminally-ill to Voluntary Assisted Dying when they otherwise wouldn’t.

Palliative care providers are turning people away as chronic underfunding fuels fears among experts low-quality care could see Queenslanders turn to Voluntary Assisted Dying when they otherwise wouldn’t.

Palliative Care Queensland Chief Executive Shyla Mills said access to palliative care was “very much a lottery” and an additional $275 million per year was required to provide adequate palliative care for all terminally-ill Queenslanders.

She said the sector had been severely underfunded for many years and providers were often forced to close their books and reduce eligibility.

Many regional communities outside of southeast Queensland do not have access to any palliative care services.

“Sadly the quality of care can very much depend on where you live and your postcode, especially when most people say they want to die at home when they receive a terminal diagnosis,” Ms Mills said.

“The discussions about VAD are often framed around choice, however currently palliative care is not a choice for many Queenslanders due to access and funding issues.”

AMAQ President Dr. Chris Perry. Picture: News Corp/Attila Csaszar

Australian Medical Association Queensland President Professor Chris Perry said proposed voluntary euthanasia legislation – set to be put before parliament this week – must be complemented by an adequately funded palliative care sector so that people had a real choice.

“I’ve always thought of voluntary assisted dying is a sign of hopelessness that you shouldn’t get with a properly funded and supported palliative care service,” Professor Perry said.

“You don’t want people feeling hopeless and being neglected, not being well cared for, and ending up taking a drink which will result in them dying in 30 minutes.

“People want to go out at their own time at their own choosing, surrounded by their family in a peaceful situation.”

The state government last year announced it would invest an extra $171 million investment in palliative care over six years, spread over a number of different areas, however, AMAQ and Palliative Care Queensland are calling for an additional $275 million per year to meet the growing demand.

Ms Mills said because of limited government funding people often only receive access to palliative care services in their last three months of life whereas the proposed VAD legislation is set to be available to eligible people from their last 12 months of life.

“That’s quite a big discrepancy that needs to be considered, and with the current funding it’s just not possible,” she said.

It comes as the state government promised to light up Queensland Parliament House in navy and maroon from Monday night to mark National Palliative Care Week.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk yesterday denied concerns a low quality of care could result in people feeling pressured to turn to voluntary assisted dying.

“I don‘t think that would be the case at all,” she said.

“Most people would have a relative or someone they know that has been through palliative care.

“It’s an individual’s choice about if they are faced with a terminal illness, how they end their life.”

Karuna Hospice Service chair Catherine Mickel.

Chair of Brisbane-based Karuna Hospice Service Catherine Mickel said there was “always a waiting list” for their in-home palliative care and that funding was needed to increase capacity.
“What we need is the funding to replicate it, particularly in regional Queensland where some of the health and hospital services really don’t have a proper palliative care service,” Ms Mickel said.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Treasurer said budget decisions would be announced as part of the budget process.

“Stakeholders are able to make submissions as part of the State Budget process, either through the relevant Ministerial office or Treasury,” the spokesperson said.