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Palliative care is active care that aims to promote comfort when cure is no longer possible. It offers a positive approach to caring and encourages people to live as full a life as they can when faced with a life limiting illness.
The World Health Organisation (2002) definition of Palliative Care is:
‘Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with a life-limiting illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychological and spiritual'
mission statement
Our mission is to provide hight quality palliative care through an integrated service, accessible across the Northern Territory.
We will achieve this through a client, their family and carer centred approach, which allows choice and is responsive to cultural and spiritual needs.
palliative care principles
- The focus of care is the person with a life-limiting illness, their families and carers have a key role in care planning decisions
- Sensitivity to cultural, religious and spiritual values is essential in the delivery of palliative care
- Quality of life is enhanced by provision of access to physical, psychological, emotional, social and spiritual support in a culturally appropriate manner
- Palliative care services are delivered by a collaborative interdisciplinary team providing care, education, advice and support
- Bereavement support is recognised as a core component of palliative care
- Palliative care is an integral part of the total health service
- Access to palliative care is available throughout the Northern Territory
territory palliative care
Territory Palliative Care is a consultative service providing care for people with a life limiting illness throughout the Northern Territory.
There are palliative care teams based in Darwin and Alice Springs:
Top End – provides services to Darwin Region, Katherine Region, East Arnhem, Daly River Region and Coastal Island Communities of the Top End.
Central Australia – provides services to Alice Springs and the Barkly Region
territory palliative care model
Territory Palliative Care operates under the integrated service delivery model. At the time of initial assessment and throughout involvement with TPC, a decision will be made about the level of input required from the palliative care team.
referrals to palliative care
Referrals may be received from a medical practitioner, hospital staff, community services or the patient/family member may self-refer.
After a referral is received an assessment will be undertaken by a member of the team to determine if palliative care is the right service to meet the needs of the client. Once accepted onto the service the palliative care team will work with primary service providers to tailor a suitable plan of care.
Top End: 
Building 58 (Menzies Building)
Royal Darwin Hospital
PO Box 41326
Casuarina NT 0810
Phone(08) 8922 6761
Fax (08) 8922 6775
Central Australia:
Flynn Drive Community Care Centre, Flynn Drive
PO Box 721
Alice Springs NT 08721
Phone: (08) 8951 6762
Fax: (08) 8951 6774
the palliative care teams
Top End
Dr Mark Boughey
Medical Director Palliative Medicine – Northern Territory
Dr Maureen Mitchell
Palliative Care Consultant – Darwin
Dr Jenny Presser
Palliative Care Registrar - Darwin
Jo Watts
Palliative Care Network Coord
John Carson
PEPA Program Manager
Rachael Mcmahon
TEDGP Liaison Officer
Jenni Palmer
Nurse Unit Manager – Darwin
Jo Rhodes
Clinical Nurse Consultant – Darwin Urban
John McMahon
Clinical Nurse Consultant - Palmerston/Semi-rural/Aged Care Facilities/Hospital Liaison
Simon Murphy
Clinical Nurse Consultant – Rural and Remote
Beverly Derschow
Aboriginal Health Worker
Sandra Sumantra
Social Worker - Community
Bereavement Coordinator
Cheryl Nash
Social Worker - Hospice
Volunteer Coordinator
Julie Rankin
Occupational Therapist
Leah Kelsh
Dietician
Vacant
Physiotherapist
Amanda Cox
Pastoral Care Worker
Central Australia
Fred Miegel
Manager
Vacant
Palliative Care Physician
Louise Dennis
Aboriginal Health Worker
services offered by Territory Palliative Care
Community Support
Palliative Care Physicians, Specialist Nurses and Aboriginal Health Workers support the work of primary medical providers and community nurses to patients residing at their place of residence including residential care facilities. They do not replace existing providers of care but assess needs, provide skilled advice, assist in coordinating community resources and are able to request additional services as required.
The TPC – Top End also has an Allied Health Team (Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, Dietitian, Physiotherapist, Pastoral Carer) who have a specialist primary care role and provide services directly to clients of the palliative care service, as well as a consultation role to primary allied health care providers.
Hospital Consultation
Palliative Care Physicians and Specialist Nurses provide a consultative service to Royal Darwin (RDH), Alice Springs (ASH) and Darwin Private Hospital.
Outpatient Clinics are also available at RDH and ASH for new patients and follow up of existing patients.
The Hospice
The Hospice is a specialised 12 bed short-stay facility located on the grounds of RDH in Darwin. The hospice accepts admissions for active symptom management, as a transition to home from hospital, or for care in the final stage of illness. There is limited access for respite care.
Bereavement Care
Support is available to family members and significant others who can access the bereavement service. Central Australia does not currently have designated bereavement staff.
Volunteer Support
Specially trained volunteers play an integral role in providing support in the home, in the hospice and during bereavement.
Education
Our education programme offers continuing education to staff, other health professionals and the community.
Research
Research is an important component of health care delivery. Patients may be approached to participate in one of the current projects. Participation is entirely voluntary and not essential to utilise palliative care services
primary service providers
There are numerous primary service providers involved in the delivery of palliative care services throughout the NT.
They include:
- General Practitioners
- Medical Consultants representing numerous specialties
- Community Care Nurses
- Indigenous Health Care Providers
- NT Carers
- Public and Private Hospitals
- Residential Aged Care Facilities
- Aged Care Assessment Teams
- Remote Health Centres
- Non-government health care provides such as Red Cross, Home Care Services, Private Nursing Agencies
- Complementary Therapists
advance care planning
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