More people with a terminal illness will be supported to die at home under the Victorian government’s new end-of-life and palliative care framework.

Health Minister Jill Hennessy said the framework recognised that the current system of palliative care is out-dated, is not line in with community expectations and will not meet future demand.

“All Victorians deserve access to the best possible end-of-life care which relieves pain and suffering and supports families and carers in their last days,” the minister said. 

“This is about ensuring we have a proper model-of-care in place that will increase the options for people dying at home in an environment that is medically safe, compassionate and supportive for patients and their families.

“This framework reflects the views and hard work of many people in the community, and gives a real voice to families and carers.”

The Andrews’ government says only 14 per cent of Australians who want to die at home are able to, but this new framework is part of the Labor Government’s plan to change that.

It says it will provide $7.2 million to put in place the right infrastructure to allow more Victorians with a terminal illness to die at home, in line with their wishes.

This funding will support the expansion of specialist palliative care expertise, training for GPs in communities to be better able to assist people to die at home, additional respite services, and carers training and support.

Should terminally ill Victorians be allowed to take their own lives?

It is an announcement which will resonate in many families in Bendigo as it will throughout the state.

But it will also raise more questions for some.

Last month the family of a Spring Gully woman who took her own life at 86-years-of-age after years of chronic pain who was about to lose her mobility was cleared of wrong-doing in the case. 

Police launched an investigation into the family hours after the woman took her own life in late 2014, beginning a 19-month ordeal which included a raid on the family home.

The End-of-Life and Palliative Care Framework can be viewed at: https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/palliative-care