Palliative care support line for clinicians

Statewide 24/7 palliative care support line (for clinician use only) 1300 673 122

A dedicated palliative care support line is now available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The initiative is hosted by the Rural Support Service in partnership with the Department for Health and Wellbeing.

Who can use the support line

This phone line provides support for clinicians with a palliative care caseload who require advice for their patients from a Palliative Care Consultant.

The support line is for clinicians including:

  • general practitioners
  • community palliative care teams
  • medical staff in regional and metropolitan local health networks
  • level 2 and 4 rural services palliative care nursing staff
  • nurse practitioners with a palliative care caseload

Where clinicians have an existing relationship with a specialist palliative care service, they should continue to contact them directly as per their normal communication channels.

Support line aims

This phone line for clinicians aims to expand timely community access to palliative treatment services. This will help to optimise a patient’s palliative care experience and deliver care closer to their home, thereby also reducing stress on carers and lowering the risk of hospital admission for symptom management. Clinicians may also seek assistance with their patient’s medication, pain management and other health concerns.

Processes, including after hours

Health professionals are asked to use the following process, particularly after hours:

  • If you know how to contact your Specialist Palliative Care Service directly, please call them as you would normally.
  • If you are unsure of the Specialist Palliative Care Service required, please ring the statewide 24/7 palliative care support line on 1300 673 122. An operator will direct you to the relevant Palliative Care Consultant for advice based on your patient’s location.

Support line is not intended for

  • consumers, carers and the community, who should continue to access palliative care clinical support through their GP or health service.
  • ambulance services, who should go through their normal channels to escalate any concerns for patient care.

Palliative Care Connect

Palliative Care Connect provides information and links to palliative care and bereavement supports in South Australia.

State-wide Palliative Care Navigators, available through phone and email, provide information, service linkages, and empower individuals to make choices aligned with their culture and preferences.

Palliative Care Navigators also support general practitioners and other healthcare professions, including those who work in palliative care units, acute care and aged care services to organise and link people to appropriate palliative care, supports or services.

To talk to a Palliative Care Navigator, call 1800 725 548 (PALLI8), available Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm or email health.pcnavigation@sa.gov.au. Voicemail will be available after hours for a call back the following business day.

Visit the Palliative Care Connect website for more information.