Better access to palliative care - worth voting for!

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Better access to palliative care - worth voting for!

Palliative Care Australia's 2025 Federal Election Campaign

Each day around 400 people die of a terminal illness, yet more than three in five (62%) do not receive specialist palliative care at any stage. Current data presents a confronting picture of access to palliative care, and on our current path this will only get worse. Without action, our future is one of diminishing care for people and families living and dying with terminal illness.

This election we want to make ‘better access to palliative care’ an issue that the next government commits to, but we need your help.

The reforms to health, aged care, and disability services over the last three years are just the start – we go backwards unless the next parliament deepens and matures the progress made by investing in better access to palliative care.

Adding her voice to the campaign is the well-known actor, author, and comedian Jean Kittson. For the last 10 years she has been a carer for her mum and dad, Elaine and Roy. Sadly, Elaine (99 years) and Roy (96 years) died earlier this year, without the palliative care Jean expected to be able to access.

"Mum's death is so full of trauma, it's very distressing to live with," she says.

Palliative Care Australia and our members have created a blueprint of immediate actions the Australian Government can take, and our elected representatives can support, to improve access to palliative care. This blueprint called the '2025 Federal Election Platform' is now available for you to download, and share with your network via the link below!

We don’t have a big advertising budget, so we rely on people like you to help amplify our message. Please sign our petition, share your story, and show your support.

PCA 2025 Federal Election Platform

2025 Federal Election Platform - 2 page summary

Jean Kittson's story

Jean has been a carer for her mum and dad, Elaine and Roy, for the last 10 years, and has also written a best-seller about the experience ‘We Need to Talk About Mum & Dad – a practical guide to parenting ageing parents.

Jean has been a longtime advocate for palliative care and is the patron of Palliative Care Nurses Australia. Sadly, Elaine (99 years) and Roy (96 years) died earlier this year, without the palliative care Jean expected to be able to access, leaving her and her sister with deep trauma and grief from the experience.

Jean is sharing her story publicly to raise awareness, so that other families have a better chance of accessing palliative care – when and where they need it. You can watch and read Jean’s deeply emotional story below.

A big thank you to Jean for sharing her story and amplifying such an important message!

 

Sign the petition

If you see Australia as a compassionate community that respects the needs of those living with a terminal illness please show your support for Palliative Care Australia’s plan for ‘better access to palliative care’ and sign this petition.

Our ageing population adds to the urgency.

Conservatively estimated, 92% of people who die in residential aged care would benefit from palliative care, yet only 3% of people living in residential aged care see a palliative medicine specialist in the first year following admission, while only a third of those entering residential aged care receive a GP health assessment or care planning within their first year.

If we don’t fix this, people will continue to be admitted to hospital for care they could receive in their home, and people will continue to have limits placed on their end of life choices.

 

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Palliative Care Australia️


2025-02-18T06:00:43+0000



🤯Shortages of pain relief medications unresolved – still!

“Patients are suffering unnecessarily, enduring heightened pain and distress, because the medications that typically control their symptoms are either unavailable or prohibitively expensive,” says Dr Peter Allcroft, Chair, Palliative Care Australia.

Backed by much loved Australian performer, Jean Kittson, close to 20,000 people have signed the ‘better access to palliative care’ petition, with more signatures every day.

“Australians want action on this and are supporting our plan in the run up to the election,” Dr Allcroft says.

More ➡️ https://ow.ly/EcGT50V1Iwi

#MattersOfLifeAndDeath

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7 Comments


Palliative Care Australia️


2025-02-16T02:00:16+0000



On average, people first receive palliative care just 15 days before death.

Access to palliative care early in someone’s terminal diagnosis prolongs quality of life and allows for better treatment options – and better supports loved ones through their grief.

Better access to palliative care – worth voting for.

Sign the petition, share your story, support our plan ➡️ https://ow.ly/ynEM50UZWSS

#MattersOfLifeAndDeath

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7 Comments


Palliative Care Australia️


2025-02-14T20:01:56+0000



Congratulations to our friends at Ambulance Wish Queensland who have just granted their 200th wish to Robyn.

Robyn’s Wish was to renew her vows with her husband at Whale Park in Wynnum.

Robyn and her husband, David, have spent some incredible years together, recently celebrating their 43rd anniversary.

With family and friends watching on, Robyn and David renewed their love. A perfect day capturing the love, the life and the friendship these two have built together – and making lasting memories for all involved.

200 wishes is a significant milestone, made possible with the wonderful support of Queenslanders and Palliative Care Queensland Inc. Consider making a donation towards more wishes ➡️ https://ow.ly/muS750UZWKr

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Palliative Care Australia️


2025-02-14T01:30:47+0000



Roses are red, violets are blue, we’ve extended the deadline just for you! ❤️

Still working on your abstract for #25OPCC? Our Valentine’s gift to you is time (don’t they say it’s the most precious gift you can get) The submission deadline has been extended until 26th February 2025! 🎉

So skip the last-minute stress and send us your best work. This is a unique opportunity to share your work, experience, story or research and to be part of the conversation shaping the future of palliative care.

Submit here 👉 https://ow.ly/O6tw50UZUmg

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Palliative Care Australia️


2025-02-13T01:27:30+0000



We were so nervous about launching the ‘better access to palliative care’ petition but people around Australia see the need too and have responded.

“Let’s get to 20,000 signatures before the PM calls the election – lets get on the front foot before the news and political cycles get even busier,” says Ian Campbell, National Communications Director, PCA.

Investment in the delivery of palliative care is not keeping pace with growing demand. Better access to palliative care is worth voting for.

Sign the petition, share your story, support our plan ➡️ https://ow.ly/7wZ050UZ32q

#MattersOfLifeAndDeath

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Palliative Care Australia️


2025-02-11T06:05:05+0000



Listen up!! 😃 As Jo says – “get your abstracts in!”

Abstract submissions close soon!! Get yours in by 17th Feb. Start here 👉 https://icebergevents.eventsair.com/25opcc/call-for-abstracts

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Palliative Care Australia️


2025-02-09T02:00:20+0000



🧭Transition Pathway from care as a child to care as an adult.

The Shaping the Future of Paediatric Palliative Care Project is developing a Transition Pathway. The Pathway will focus on the needs of young people with long term health conditions requiring ongoing care as they move from a child healthcare system to an adult healthcare system.

This is where you come in!

We need to hear from young people to help us design this Pathway. The goal is to make sure the move to adult healthcare systems is less stressful and more suited to young people’s needs. Your input can make a big difference for others who will go through this process in the future.

Sharing your experience is as easy as completing a short survey ➡️ https://ow.ly/5Lfi50UW5lw Your responses will be anonymous.

If you would like to talk to us about before you start the survey, contact the project team on paediatrics@palliativecare.org.au

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Palliative Care Australia️


2025-02-07T20:01:43+0000



💪Australians are making a noise about better access to palliative care.

Over 13,000 signatures on the ‘better access to palliative care’ petition! THANK YOU! Can you help us get to 15,000 signatures?

Catch up on our campaign to make palliative care an election issue and add your name to the petition ➡️ https://ow.ly/YMWC50UVoiT

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Palliative Care Australia️


2025-02-07T06:00:38+0000



🚩New course on end of life law in aged care – with CPD available

Our friends at End of Life Law for Clinicians has a new FREE online training course for health professionals in residential aged care, home and community care, and aged care providers.

Upskill on the law around Advance Care Directives, substitute decision-making, managing disputes, voluntary assisted dying, and more.

This course can also help aged care providers to meet the new Aged Care Quality Standards. Register or make a start on the ELLC Aged Care course at ➡️ https://ow.ly/7nqV50UVoAM

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Palliative Care Australia️


2025-02-06T08:01:10+0000



This is BIG news! 😃 We are beyond excited to reveal keynote speakers for #25OPCC. 📣

Professor Brian Dolan is a dual-qualified nurse, global advocate, and OBE award recipient. Known for his invaluable contributions to nursing and emergency care, Prof Brian has held multiple leadership positions and full and honorary professorships at leading universities.

Dr Jun Sasaki is a General Practitioner, Gastroenterologist, and the CEO of Yushoukai Medical Corp, Japan’s largest group of home care clinics. He is an award-winning innovator, and an expert in the healthcare needs and challenges of an ageing population.

Professor Myra Bluebond-Langner is the Professor of Palliative Care for Children and Young People (Emeritus) at University College London. For 40 years, Prof Bluebond-Langner has pioneered the social scientific study of children with life-limiting conditions and now leads the largest concentration of paediatric palliative care researchers in Europe. Her work has informed national policies and clinical practice and she continues her passion to improve the lives of seriously ill children, young people and families.

Find out more about them here 👉 https://icebergevents.eventsair.com/25opcc/keynote-speakers

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Palliative Care Australia️


2025-02-05T22:01:26+0000



RACGP News reports, “A GP-led study has revealed the critical role general practice plays in delivering high-quality care to cancer patients at the end of life.”

Research lead, Dr Matthew Grant says, “It’s clear that GPs are central to supporting patients during this critical time, particularly in managing pain and other symptoms. Yet, there are areas where we need to improve access and continuity.”

Catch up of the research ➡️ https://ow.ly/rpRE50UUsmq

Support PCA’s plan for ‘better access to palliative care’ through primary health, sign our petition ➡️ https://ow.ly/RFaK50UUspA

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Palliative Care Australia️


2025-02-05T04:00:29+0000



Primary health care nurses are critical to ‘better access to palliative care’ now and into the future – thank you for what you do every day in local communities around Australia, and thank you to our friends at APNA – Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association for empowering the work of your members and the impact they have.

To support ‘better access to palliative care’ via primary health, sign our petition ➡️ https://ow.ly/o0WA50UTLci

#PHCNDay2025 #APNANurses #MattersOfLifeAndDeath

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Palliative Care Australia️


2025-02-04T00:01:04+0000



“Death teaches us so much about life, it shows us what truly matters — love, connection, and the ability to let go when it’s time,” says palliative care chaplain, author and speaker J.I. Willett.

Meet Janice as part of our ‘People of Palliative Care’ series ➡️ https://ow.ly/QAU350USNxj

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Palliative Care Australia️


2025-02-03T00:00:24+0000



The number of deaths per year is on track to almost double in the next 50 years as our population ages.

Investment in the delivery of palliative care is already not keeping pace with that growing demand.

Better access to palliative care – worth voting for.

Sign the petition, share your story, support our plan ➡️ https://ow.ly/lteV50UQMPp

#MattersOfLifeAndDeath

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