There has never been a more crucial time to build the knowledge of Tasmania's palliative care sector, according to the state's peak body.
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Palliative Care Tasmania predicts demand on the state's end of life services will have doubled by 2040.
It is one of the driving forces behind a two-day forum which will continue in Hobart on Friday, with the aim of addressing how services can work together to ensure the best support possible for people with life-limiting illness.
With research showing 85 per cent of people will require access to palliative care support and services, Palliative Care Tasmania chief executive Colleen Johnstone said demand was increasing across the state.
"This is by far the largest professional development opportunity we have had in Tasmania since our last state forum in 2015," she said.
"We are finding there is more interest around access to palliative care services.
"This is an opportunity to highlight palliative care and the importance of it within the broader aged care setting."
An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report released earlier this year showed Tasmania had the highest population rate of palliative care-related hospitalisations in 2016-17.
Nationally, palliative care-related hospitalisations increased by 25 per cent between 2012-13 and 2016-17 - the fastest rate increase of any other type of hospitalisation.
Ms Johnstone said the biggest challenge facing Tasmania's palliative care sector was its ageing population.
"At the moment we don't have the capacity to meet the current demand," she said.
"We need to be looking at issues like workforce development and community-based palliative care services."
With the conference coinciding with the Royal Commission into Aged Care's Tasmania hearings this week, Ms Johnstone said she hoped the focus would provide a timely wake-up call to government, the community and service providers.
"I think some of the findings and stories have been really alarming," she said.
"Older Tasmanians living in residential aged care are some of the most vulnerable in the community. Particularly those with no one to advocate on their behalf.
"There has been a large focus on the aged care sector and aged care facilities who are taking on a growing number of palliative care patients.
"I am really hopeful this commission will lead to real changes and we will be advocating to ensure palliative care is included in that.
"Not just legislative reform, but ensuring access to professional development."
Jessica Willard
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
