Commentary on: Embedding a Palliative Care Nurse Consultant Within a General Medicine Ward: A Prospective Exploratory Study

Within a General Medicine Ward: A Prospective Exploratory Study' uses a mixed methods approach to explore the impact of integrating a Palliative Care Nurse Consultant (PCNC) directly into a medical ward team in Australia.Observational data was collected by the PCNC, along with a standardised template which included data such as time of referral and discharge outcome.Subsequently, a survey was completed by the 18 nursing and Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) involved in delivering care.The study explored how embedded PCNC roles may challenge traditional models of palliative care delivery.Strengths and limitations are debated, alongside considerations for clinicians working in acute care environments who care for the frail adult within the last few months of life.The study concentrates on the disparity between patient need and access to timely palliative care for in-patients on medical wards.Whilst specialist palliative care services have expanded, access remains uneven, particularly for patients with chronic non-malignant conditions such as heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and advanced frailty.