While PLHIV are generally living longer and healthier lives, end-of-life issues, and advance care planning (ACP) are often underutilised and overlooked (49, 50). Advance care planning is a form of communication between individuals and their proxies to help plan for future healthcare decisions (51). Factors affecting ACP can include low socio-economic status, lower severity of illness, social isolation and practitioners’ resources and training (26). Nurses can often initiate these discussions and support people through the process with the multidisciplinary team.
Palliative care expertise remains an important component of the care continuum for PLHIV (50). Referral to palliative care services and collaborative care between HIV specialist teams and palliative care services can ensure quality care at the end of life.
Voluntary assisted dying
Voluntary assisted dying (VAD) involves medical assistance to end a person’s life because they have an advanced medical condition causing intolerable suffering and voluntarily request it. VAD is available in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, and South Australia, with strict and variable criteria. More information can be obtained via the health department in the relevant state. See further information below under Resources and links.