The Australian government has announced a $56 million (US$39.7 million) investment that would benefit some 50 to 90 percent of the 160,000 Australians who need end of life and palliative care as they approach death. Primary Health Networks (PHN) across Australia will receive more than $37 million (US$26.2 million) to expand the Greater Choice for At Home Palliative Care program. The program aims to improve access to quality palliative care at home, support palliative care services in primary health and community care, ensure right care at the right time to reduce hospital visits, generate and use data to improve services, and utilise technology to provide flexible care, including after-hours care. Health Minister Greg Hunt said in a release on Thursday that the current pilot program across 11 PHN sites has been successful in linking end of life care systems in primary and community care settings, as well as increasing community awareness of local …