Early Referral Palliative Care Outpatient Clinic

Referring patients to palliative care earlier in their cancer journey, rather than waiting until end of life, is associated with better symptom management and improved quality of life for patients, families, and carers.

In response, Albury Wodonga Health has launched a new Early Referral Palliative Care Outpatient Clinic, based on the Care Plus early referral model, for people recently diagnosed with advanced and incurable upper GI, colon, or lung cancer. The clinic is designed to bring the benefits of palliative care to patients earlier in their diagnosis than would traditionally happen, while they continue their usual care with their treating team and GP.

The early referral model was co-designed with clinicians, consumers, and community, and is delivered as part of the TROPICAL-VIC (Timely Referral to Outpatient Palliative Care Services in Regional Victoria) research project, funded by the Victorian Cancer Agency. It is currently in its pilot phase and available to patients with a diagnosis of advanced and incurable upper GI, colon, or lung cancer. Patients are offered three consultations over three months, and referrers are kept updated on their patient’s progress throughout.

To refer a patient, screen them using the Royal Marsden Triggers Tool, supplied with the referral form (see below for information on how to obtain a referral pack). If one or more triggers are present, referral to the clinic should be considered. The clinic is held at the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre, Level 1, on Monday afternoons and Thursday mornings. For more information about the clinic, to obtain a referral pack, or to make a referral, contact cancerspecialistclinic@awh.org.au. For information about the research project, contact srich@bmoresearch.org.

Last updated: September 2026