In 2003, the Australian Government Department of Health (DoH) funded Queensland University of Technology (QUT) to deliver a national palliative care project called Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach (PEPA) which forms part of the Palliative Care Education and Training Collaborative. This Collaborative takes a strategic approach to education and training of the health workforce and delivers programs for priority healthcare provider groups across primary, secondary and tertiary settings.
In 2011 after recognising the instrumental role that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals play in breaking down the barriers to accessing palliative care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, a tailored program to support and build the capacity of this workforce was established.
In March 2019, PEPA engaged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia to understand, consult and co-design palliative care measures. Elders and community members in each jurisdiction, both urban and rural, contributed to this important conversation and IPEPA was born.
Download the IPEPA Stakeholder kit here to learn more.