The telephone service was a finalist at the health district's Living Quality and Safety Awards gala dinner at Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre last week.

While it did not receive an award, the health district's executive director of allied health and innovation Richard Cheney considers the service a winner.

He said many people wanted to die at home and the palliative care after-hours advice service was pivotal in helping make that happen.

"If family members have concerns or a local doctor is seeing someone at home and has concerns, they can ring our staff," Mr Cheney said.

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The advice line complements other palliative care services open during normal business hours.

It operates from about 5.30pm to 8am on week days and around-the-clock on public holidays and weekends.

Mr Cheney said palliative care nurses in the health district responded to the calls.

"They go on a roster for the after-hours call service so they will pick up that number," he said.

"Because we have notes in what we call electronic mode, they can see where the patient is and what the issues are and provide advice."

The advice offered often supports "symptom management".

Questions asked of the palliative care nurses range from "how to deal with respiratory secretions" through to how much pain medication to administer.

The palliative care nurses can call in doctors.

The number of the advice line is supplied to people in palliative care.

Mr Cheney said 70 per cent of calls led to conversations that allowed people "to stay where they wish to pass away".

"We are doing everything we can to help that person have their wishes acknowledged and if that is staying at home that's what it is," he said.

"So we are now supporting more people..to stay home."