The statewide Palliative Care Advice Service (PCAS) at the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) has taken its 1000th call since formally launching in August 2021.

Palliative Care Advice Service (PCAS) staff member

The PCAS offers free, confidential advice for both the general public and clinicians within Victoria who require information or resources about living with, or caring for someone with life-limiting illness, palliative care or end-of-life care.

Recent data collected by the PCAS team has demonstrated that 60 percent of callers were members of the community looking for local support and guidance, while 40 percent were clinicians accessing guidance from palliative medicine consultants.

“In addition to that the PCAS has provided reassurance and support to callers, many of whom would have otherwise contacted Triple Zero,” said nurse unit manager, Esther McMillan-Drendel. “We know that at least 102 calls were diverted away from Triple Zero and the emergency department."

“This service has been able to prevent the community unnecessarily accessing emergency services, while keeping them in their preferred place of care wherever they are in Victoria,” added Esther.

“Not only have PCAS staff provided a service that is practical, tailored and caring at all times, but they have done so through perhaps one of the most challenging times.

“Hitting our 1000th call truly is a milestone for the service and our team,” she added.

Find out more about PCAS.

Mobile Stroke Unit with Ambulance Victoria paramedic and the RMH Stroke team
Media enquiries

We provide a media service from 6am to 10pm each day. Journalists are welcome to contact our media advisor on-call via the RMH Switchboard on (03) 9342 7000.

During business hours, journalists can email mh-communications@mh.org.au. We do not respond to emails outside business hours.