Better access to palliative care - worth voting for!
Better access to palliative care - worth voting for!
Monday, November 25, 2024
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.
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. |
Share Your Story
Better access to palliative care is important because...
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Show your support, share our campaign resources...
Supporter toolkit
 |
Supporter toolkit |
Social media tiles
 |
 |
 |
Social media tile_1 |
Social media tile_2 |
Social media tile_3 |
 |
 |
 |
Social media tile_4 |
Social media tile_5 |
Social media tile_6 |
Social media banner
 |
 |
 |
Facebook banner |
LinkedIn banner |
Twitter (X) banner |
Website banner
|
Website banner |
Join the conversation
Help shape the future of legacy making and advance care planning and empower palliative care.
With the support of UTS: University of Technology Sydney, a new state-of-the-art digital platform has been created that aims to transform end-of-life planning. The platform, known as Evaheld, enables people to easily document their wishes and life story, creating clarity, reassurance, and legacy for families and healthcare providers alike.
Before taking the next steps in their growth and development, Evaheld wants to check in with the community and those working in palliative care to gather feedback that improves their offering and accessibility.
Do you have a moment to complete their survey? It will take you between 10 and 15 minutes, by completing the survey you will receive a free Evaheld Legacy Vault.
Survey for patients, carers and families ➡️ https://ow.ly/X69m50U8JP0
Survey for those working in palliative care ➡️ https://ow.ly/9lKT50U8JP4
Thank you.
In the lead up to Christmas, our friends at the Healthy End of Life Program HELP App invite you to two free webinars about better supporting carers during the festive season.
If you’re a carer or you know someone who is, please register and join on Thursday, 12 December and Thursday, 19 December.
Register now ➡️ https://healthyendoflifeprogram.org/webinars/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2SOjJTkE8qYMVG_d9BiYPt4c1ahMOvkzxJROZlbNVDrBRyCl5yXUHTcQk_aem_ZXoDGfHawDNrnl6LZ3NZqg
Palliative Care Australia, in collaboration with Palliative Care Queensland Inc., invites you to share your work and experience and submit an abstract for 25OPCC that gives voice to the theme; ‘connecting systems for better care’.
Spanning Australia, New Zealand, and the broader Oceanic and Asia-Pacific regions – a diversity of voices is central to the success of 25OPCC, as is a diversity of abstract submissions for our review panel to consider.
Never submitted an abstract before? Feeling a bit nervous about putting yourself forward? We want to help you. Guidance on crafting compelling abstracts and delivering engaging presentations is available through our mentoring program for first time presenters.
More info and submissions ➡️ https://ow.ly/LwAs50UkvqO
Local doctors and nurses want to deliver care to those with a terminal illness in their community but feel unsupported.
Palliative Care Australia and our members have a plan for ‘better access to palliative care through primary care.’
Sign the petition, share your story, support our plan ➡️ https://ow.ly/RjsI50UjEff
Better access to palliative care – worth voting for.
#MattersOfLifeAndDeath
🚩Webinar this Thursday – 5 December!
Join us for an in-depth, expert led webinar and equip yourself with the tools to deliver better experiences and outcomes for people receiving generalist palliative care.
The key tool that will guide you through this journey in primary care and aged care is the National Palliative Care Standards for All Health Professionals and Aged Care Services.
This webinar is your opportunity to take a deep dive into the Standards with sector leaders who will discuss the importance of having a framework for high quality palliative care regardless of the setting, and provide key strategies that you can take back to your everyday practice.
PCA Connect is free to attend, join us on Thursday, 5 December, 4pm to 5:30pm, register now ➡️ https://ow.ly/C3rf50Ucq4V
Richard and Hieke say having access to palliative care makes all the difference.
Tragically, two of their three children were born with a rare terminal condition that lead to their death aged 17 and 18. Bodhi and Kai’s experiences in their final days were like “chalk and cheese”.
Bodhi had access to palliative care, Kai did not. A Current Affair highlights the impact of Manly’s Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice ➡️ https://ow.ly/nQzv50UiG7B
Thanks for sharing your family’s story Richard and Hieke, rest in peace Bodhi and Kai.
Better access to palliative care – worth voting for. Sign our petition, share your story, support our plan ➡️ https://ow.ly/RSyw50UiG8U
#MattersOfLifeAndDeath
