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
People talking about and planning for the end of their life; these “deathies” are a great example of how to do it, and are using PCA resources ➡️ https://ow.ly/sW5u50TLghT
Thank you to Leanne and Rachel for sharing your end of life experience with ABC News, and highlighting the quality of life that inspires palliative care.
Watch ➡️ https://ow.ly/w6p750TLghU
As a healthcare professional how confident do you feel in addressing grief and bereavement? You often witness the deep grief and sadness of families and friends. Responding to these intense emotions can be challenging.
Our friends at End-of-Life Essentials have just launched a Bereavement Care eLearning module.
This free module, funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, is designed to strengthen your skills and confidence, helping you make a meaningful difference for patients, grieving families, and yourself.
Take a look, it only takes 35 to 40 minutes to complete ➡️ https://ow.ly/Lrpw50TLfT5
After his ‘rock star’ like reception at the 2023 Oceanic Palliative Care Conference last September, Prof Hsien Seow is back for another insightful and thought-provoking session on 14 November in Sydney!
Join Prof Hsien (from the Waiting Room Revolution) and a panel of other experts as we explore how greater collaboration between health systems and local communities is crucial to address the care needs of the future.
Our approach needs to change, be part of that change. Virtual registrations are also available 👉 https://ow.ly/FJ5g50TJmqs
Thank you to our partners in this – UTS: University of Technology Sydney and Palliative Care NSW 🧡
To coincide with World Hospice and Palliative Care Day, Palliative Care Australia is releasing the first findings from our recent national workforce survey.
Titled ‘Wellbeing in palliative care workforces’ this first report is a snapshot of how growing demand for palliative care is being experienced by the health professionals and volunteers who support people in their final months, weeks, and days of life.
“On this of all days, I want to thank and acknowledge the professionals and volunteers who deliver palliative care – you are special people, your skills are valued, and we need to care for you so you can continue to deliver care for others,” says Camilla Rowland, PCA, CEO.
View and download the full report ➡️ https://palliativecare.org.au/mediarelease/increasing-demand-puts-workforce-wellbeing-at-risk/
Thanks to our friends at the Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance for bringing our global community together on this important day.
#WHPCDay24
Calling all palliative care specialists 📣
Join us for an in-depth, expert-led webinar designed for specialists looking to enhance their practice and knowledge in line with the updated National Palliative Care Standards 5.1 edition (2024).
These are a set of voluntary standards, intended to guide healthcare providers to deliver high-quality palliative care for the person receiving care, their family and carers.
This webinar is your opportunity to take a deep dive with sector leaders who will provide a comprehensive overview of the latest update to the Standards and explore practical strategies to apply them in your everyday practice.
Our aim is to help you build consistency, safety, and patient-centred outcomes. Reserve your spot now 👉 https://ow.ly/Z8CU50TIuV4
That sense of ‘holding on’ is something many who work in or have experienced palliative care can relate to.
With the support of palliative care, people during their last weeks and days of life can be inspired to ‘hang on’ for special occasions. In Jimmy Carter’s case, it’s American election day on November 5, read more from The Guardian ➡️ https://ow.ly/CmNQ50TGozl
Do you have an experience like this to share? Has someone you knew been able to ‘hang on’ for something special with the support of palliative care? Please share your experience below…
📸Jimmy Carter Library: Jimmy Carter accepts the presidential nomination of his party at the Democratic National Convention, August 14, 1980.
