The Advance Project

By Rebecca Jeffery

Bulli Medical Practice is participating in the Advance Project™ to support and encourage end-of-life planning in the northern Illawarra community. The project is designed to improve patient care by starting the conversation about advance care planning.

Advance care planning involves you, your loved ones and your GP or practice nurse talking about your values and the type of health care you would like to receive if you became seriously ill or injured and were unable to express what you wanted.

These conversations might seem difficult to begin with, but it’s very important to have them. Over the years, we’ve seen how well-planned decisions about end-of-life wishes bring comfort to our patients, and their families, during difficult times. It’s very reassuring for families to know that the wishes and preferences of their loved one are being followed.

Conversations about end-of-life planning ideally start when a person is first diagnosed with a terminal or life-limiting illness and continue over the years as the person’s condition changes. However, you do not have to be unwell or have a terminal illness to start planning.

As part of the Advance Project™, practice nurses and GPs will talk to patients and help them consider their future health care needs and wishes.

Patients are encouraged to discuss these plans with family. We then organise follow-up appointments to answer any questions and assist patients to complete any documentation.

The project is a national initiative, but we are also working with our local Primary Health Network (COORDINARE).

Ultimately, the project will strengthen coordination and management of supportive care and end-of-life care in our region and thereby improve experiences at end-of-life.

All patients are welcome to initiate advanced care discussions with our practice nurses or GPs. We also now offer these discussions as part of the 75+ Health Care Assessments.