The World Health Organization states that ‘Palliative care is a crucial part of integrated, people-centred health services. Relieving serious health-related suffering, be it physical, psychological, social, or spiritual, is a global ethical responsibility.’ Historically, the biomedical model has focused on physical symptoms and less so on distressing psycho-existential suffering.

This nationally implemented quality improvement project headed by Prof David Kissane (University of Notre Dame) introduces a validated assessment tool that equips clinicians to effectively identify and begin address this unmet need. Palliative Care Services in the ACT operating out of Clare Holland House has been a contributing site since 2021.