National Palliative Care Week 2023 - 'Matters of Life and Death'
National Palliative Care Week 2023 - 'Matters of Life and Death'
Friday, March 17, 2023
National Palliative Care Week runs, 21 May to 27 May 2023 and aims to put ‘Matters of Life and Death’ front and centre in Australia’s consciousness. Camilla Rowland, Chief Executive Officer at Palliative Care Australia (PCA) says, “We understand that death and dying is a difficult subject to talk about and engage with, but this year we have some powerful voices joining the campaign to inspire and start important conversations.”
“The ‘people at the heart of quality palliative care’ – our workforce and volunteers, have opened their hearts to share the life lessons they learn everyday as they provide care and support to people and families living with a life limiting illness.
“The vibrant video and social media campaign that is central to the week will also allow us all to show our appreciation for the doctors, nurses, physios, social workers, occupational therapists, dietitians, volunteers and the many others who contribute to the person-centred team approach to palliative care.”
Adding further weight to our message is the world premiere of ‘Live the life you please’, a powerful documentary produced by Moonshine Agency. The film delves into the stories of real people from across the country, sharing their personal experiences of palliative care. The film will make you smile, laugh, laugh harder and occasionally shed a tear as this diverse range of Australians share the last chapter of their life with us.
“National Palliative Care Week and the stories we’ll share will open the door on the full scope and impact of palliative care and the quality of life it delivers. I hope it provides a moment of reflection for all Australians to think about and plan for the last chapter of life,” Ms Rowland says.
Film screenings and a host of other events will make for a busy NPCW around the country. A full list of events can be found below as well as a range tools to help grow awareness of palliative care. Getting involved and showing your support for palliative care and the people who deliver it is as easy as sharing your story on social media using #MattersOfLifeAndDeath.
“Whether you are receiving palliative care, looking after someone or know someone who is receiving care, we encourage you to share your experience and break down those taboos,” Ms Rowland says. The advice, tools, and support below have been pulled together to support those working and volunteering in palliative care and help anyone and everyone better understand palliative care and how to access it.
You will also find some great resources to start end-of-life conversations and record those wishes and plans. Please make the most of the communication and marketing assets below to show your support and help amplify the message.
Thanks again, got a question? Email pca@palliativecare.org.au
See what's happening in your state or territory
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National movie screenings
Advice for you
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Other advice, tools and support
- Understanding self-care
- Planning for self-care
- Self-Care Matters campaign resources – a Palliative Care Australia resource, which aims to support you – whatever your role in palliative care – to prevent burnout and build resilience
- Self-care for volunteers working in paediatric palliative care
- Self-care for health professionals working in paediatric palliative care
- Questions for carers to ask the team caring for your loved one
- The Essence of Spiritual Care: A learning module for health care workers
- End of Life Directions for Aged Care (ELDAC) Toolkits – designed to help you in providing palliative care and advance care planning to older Australians
- National Palliative Care Standards for Specialist Palliative Care Services
- National Palliative Care Standards for All Health Professionals and Aged Care Services
- CareSearch Health Professionals Centre – providing trustworthy and practical resources that are relevant to your practice
- End-of-Life Essentials: free education modules and resources
- Palliative Care Online Short Courses, Flinders University
- Oceanic Palliative Care Conference, Sydney, September 2023
- Free PCA shop
- Palliative care NSW – Homelessness and Palliative Care Report
- Department of Health and Aged Care – Exploratory Analysis of Barriers to Palliative Care – Issues Report on People Experiencing Homelessness
- CareSearch: palliative care issues for people experiencing homelessness
- Palliative Care Australia – Providing palliative care for people who are homeless; attempting to break down barriers
- Homeless Palliative Care Toolkit
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Quick links to more info
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Join the conversation
The Oceanic Palliative Care Conference in 2023 brought together over 1400 delegates ‘with the end in mind’ – it was our biggest conference ever.
At the heart of this success was a powerful conference program that featured over 215 speakers sharing new ideas, latest research, tools, resources, models of care and so much more!
To continue this momentum, we need your expertise to create another impactful program for the 2025 Oceanic Palliative Care Conference. You are invited to join our 25OPCC Program Committee and help shape a dynamic three days in Brisbane ➡️ https://ow.ly/YhLy50Stkj0 EOIs close 15 July!
#25OPCC
What happens when we die? It’s life’s big mystery, these palliative care nurses open up to ABC News about what they have seen and experienced ➡️ https://ow.ly/ecGJ50SswAc
Advice, tools, support with ‘matters of life and death’ ➡️ https://ow.ly/olR650SswAe
📸 ABC News – Danielle Bonica: Nurses Marita Rees, Anne Myers, and Anne-Marie Jackson say people needn’t fear the end of their lives.
Unmasking Grief is a video series that sensitively illuminates the grief stories of four bereaved mothers.
Hoping to make a difference for other families dealing with grief, Rachel, Yvonne, Bec and Angela bravely confront topics with dignity, grace, vulnerability, and humour.
Project lead, Dr Leigh Donovan says, “There is great fear and reluctance around confronting grief which leaves many so isolated in bereavement.”
“However, when we begin to unmask this experience, as a community we become more confident in seeing grief as a natural, human experience and one that requires solidarity rather than disconnection.”
More ➡️ http://ow.ly/cvcL50OBtta
This blog from the CareSearch Project delves into the integration of telemedicine and palliative care.
“Our findings demonstrate high levels of satisfaction,” writes Sim Xiang Rong from Monash Health.
“This is likely because telemedicine offers the convenience of being at home while still receiving care.”
More ➡️ https://ow.ly/ozlX50SrsOm
A positive outcome to a story we shared with you earlier this week ➡️ https://ow.ly/bY6v50SrsEH
Tools and support for families on a paediatric palliative care journey ➡️ https://ow.ly/yqro50SrsHf
📸 Jessica Lamb from ABC Gold Coast: Gold Coast parents Justin and Ashlee Wallace with their six-year-old daughter Audrey who lives with treatment-resistant epilepsy.
Palliative Care Australia’s National Champions are a group of eminent Australians who represent a range of backgrounds, skills, and experiences in their professional and private lives.
National Champions work with our Board of Directors and CEO to build strategic alliances that serve the business objectives, values, and mission of PCA.
Let’s meet one of our Champions, Yvonne Coburn – a former lawyer, newspaper columnist and human resources professional, these days, Yvonne is an executive leadership coach working with a wide range of senior executives and guiding business and commerce students at the University of Sydney Business School.
Yvonne’s awareness of palliative care started with her mother’s diagnosis of ovarian cancer ➡️ https://ow.ly/r9wz50Srpbt
Thanks for your support Yvonne.
