[From CareSearch]
The CareSearch Project Team has started a project to reconceive and deliver the digital platform for the CareSearch website. This is not a website rebranding or rebuild but something more fundamental. We are looking at how changes in the digital ecosystem can help us create a platform on which we build our websites that will provide the type of functions and applications that can better meet the needs of our users. For many years we have been trying to maximise the functions of our existing system while recognising that the technical environment in which we are operating is rapidly changing.
Over the coming months, we will be quietly examining and developing the framework for our system that will enable us to move confidently into the future. Central to our work will be security and effective functionalities, applications that make it easier for visitors too find and use evidence that helps in decision making and care delivery, and data systems that can help us better understand how people seek, find and engage with knowledge.
While we are doing this work, nothing will change for users. Our current website will continue to provide access to trustworthy information, evidence resources, health professional specific resources and tools and education and learning opportunities. In the next few months, we may be asking for our website users to be involved in testing new functions and applications. We are excited to be working with our users, our industry partners, and our project partners to map how palliative care knowledge and the digital environment can help us meet the needs of our community and our sector.
(https://www.caresearch.com.au/About-Us/Newsroom/Palliative-Perspectives/Palliative-Perspectives-Blog-Details/ArtMID/17907/ArticleID/6475/Preparing-for-the-future-Starting-a-platform-redevelopment-project)
[From PallConsult]
Background
Across Queensland Health the process of verifying that a person has died (“life extinct”) is currently documented using locally developed forms and processes. While these generally capture similar information, there is variation in format, terminology and documentation requirements across facilities and services.
This variation can create challenges for clinicians working across different care settings and may lead to inconsistent documentation of death verification.
Purpose
A standardised statewide Life Extinct Verification form supports consistent documentation when verifying death across settings.
The intent of the statewide form is for it to be:
- clinically practical for time-sensitive situations
- consistent across care settings
- aligned with Queensland Health policies and procedures
- supportive of coronial and administrative processes and requirements.
Scope of the Form
The form is intended to support clinicians when verifying that life is extinct, particularly in situations where:
- a doctor is not immediately present
- verification is undertaken by an authorised clinician (e.g. nurse practitioner, nurse, paramedic)
- documentation is required prior to completion of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death
Please note that the form does not replace the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death but rather documents the clinical verification of death.
Consultation Purpose
Feedback is sought to ensure the form:
- captures the essential elements of death verification
- is clear and easy for clinicians to complete
- is appropriate for use across all care settings.
Areas Where Feedback is Requested
Members are invited to comment on:
- clinical completeness of the fields
- clarity of instructions and terminology
- consideration for any additional fields that should be included.
Please note that areas highlighted in the draft are being updated to reflect current acts and regulatory requirements.
See the Draft Form Here
Feedback requested to be emailed to Pallconsult@health.qld.gov.au by COB Monday 23 March 2026 with the subject line: Life Extinct Verification Form feedback. The team is most grateful for your review and valuable insights.
[From MNHHS]
Survey out now until the end of March looking for your experience with Julian's Key Health Passport.
Sharing your experience with Julian’s Key will help us to better understand what matters most to persons with disability, their carers and support teams when engaging with health care providers, in addition to enabling Queensland Health staff and disability service providers to share their insights and feedback.
Short survey here
Learn more about Julian's Key Health Passport here
[From CareSearch]
CareSearch has developed a GP Kit that is designed to support care planning, assessment and communication for patients coming to the end of their life and their families. GPs can find this a demanding but needed area of their practice. This information kit provides practical tools and resources to assist them in providing compassionate and comprehensive care. The kit also highlights practical resources they can share with their patients and their carers.
GPs can order a printed version of the kit or download the resources from the CareSearch GP Kit page within our GP Hub.
We appreciate your support in sharing this meaningful resource to help GPs provide care that enables patients to live as comfortably and fully as possible by supporting their physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs, as well as their families and carers.
[From Hammond Innovations]
Join us for our upcoming webinar; “Complex Dementia Care: Thinking Outside the Box” hosted by Prof Anna Barker, Executive General Manager at Hammond Innovations. Anna will introduce speakers Dr Tom Morris - Director Dementia Research Program and Data Analytics at Hammond Innovations and Prof Steve Macfarlane - Head of Clinical Services, Advisory Care & Partnerships at Hammond Innovations, who will share expert insights on this important topic.
In the webinar, we'll cover practical care approaches, safer medication practices and smarter use of data and technology.
Date: Tuesday 25 March 2026
Time: 12.00 – 1.00 PM (AEDT)
Location: Online
Register: https://www.hammondinnovations.com.au/webinar-25mar26
The final CATQIP reports can now be found in the February meeting notes folder.
[from OACP]
The Statewide Office of Advance Care Planning is reviewing the Queensland Health Advance Care Planning Clinical Guidelines, last published in 2018, and updating them to reflect current evidence, legislation, policy, strategy, and best practice. I am writing to seek your review and feedback on the draft guidelines.
The purpose of the Queensland Health ACP Clinical Guidelines is to support the routine implementation of advance care planning (ACP) across Queensland Health services and facilities, and to strengthen awareness of the systems and structures that enable ACP in Queensland. The updated guidelines aim to provide high‑level direction to Queensland Hospital and Health Services (HHS) to support:
- the development of local ACP policies and procedures that standardise practice
- stronger communication between clinicians and patients
- care that reflects each individual’s wishes and preferences.
The guidelines outline the systems that support ACP in Queensland, describe best‑practice processes for health professionals assisting people through the stages of ACP, and detail how a person’s documents, wishes and preferences should be enacted when a substitute decision‑maker is required. They also include options for monitoring and measuring ACP activity and provide links to further information.
We welcome your insights on the draft guidelines. Your input will help shape the final version and ensure the guidelines are clear, practical and useful for clinicians and services across Queensland.
Please provide your feedback via the following survey link: https://forms.office.com/r/2pykZcZJ85
There are 4 sections in this survey. It will take about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. The survey closes at COB 20 March 2026.
[From PallConsult}
PallConsult is pleased to launch the Community of Practice (CoP) for Health Care Educators, commencing in March 2026.
This new initiative brings together health care educators and clinical facilitators from across Queensland to strengthen capability in supporting health professionals working in end-of-life and palliative care.
The CoP offers a collaborative and supportive virtual space to share knowledge, explore real-world challenges, and promote ongoing professional development - particularly for clinicians working in regional and remote settings.
- Provides a structured forum for discussion, practical problem-solving, and peer collaboration
- Supports continuous learning through shared resources, discussion of current research, and reflective practice
- Encourages the development of new ideas for learning and quality improvement
- Strengthens professional connections and reduces professional isolation.
You can review the Charter document to understand the purpose, objectives, governance and conditions of participation in the PallConsult CoP.
Sessions will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams on the following dates:
- 3 March | 1:00–2:00 pm
- 5 May | 1:00–2:00 pm
- 7 July | 1:00–2:00 pm
- 1 September | 1:00–2:00 pm
- 3 November | 1:00–2:00 pm
Session topics will be finalised prior to each meeting and communicated with attendees.
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/referrals/statewide-specialist-services/pallconsult/community-of-practice
Suggested Schedule for 2026 (v2) (190 KB) (pdf)
31 March 2026