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
🔁 Missed the PCA Connect Webinar? Watch it on-demand now! 🎥
The discussion was rich, practical and thought-provoking! We explored advance care planning – not just the paperwork, but the deeper, more meaningful conversations about what matters most for people at the end of life.
Our expert speakers Kylie Ash and Dr Catherine Joyce from Advance Care Planning Australia helped answer the practical questions so many health professionals, consumers, and community members have around advance care planning.
Watch on-demand here 👉 https://palc.evexus.net/au?event_id=166
Naomi Lettieri from Anam Cara House Colac has seen what happens when families avoid talking about death until it’s too late – painful emotional and practical consequences
“When there’s no advance care plan in place, it places a significant emotional burden on both the family and healthcare professionals,” she explains.
Read Naomi’s story to see how planning early, can transform not just how we die – but how we live – Advance Care Planning: Ensuring Dignity in Life’s Final Journey👉https://ow.ly/ejgJ50VRyy9
Two years on from the launch of the Paediatric Palliative Care National Action Plan – the plan is having an impact and improving the delivery of palliative care for infants, children, and young adults.
“The establishment of a Paediatric Palliative Care Centre of Research Excellence is a standout achievement,” says Camilla Rowland, CEO, PCA. Other achievements in the last 12 – 18 months include:
✅ Australia’s first paediatric palliative care clinical guidelines
✅ New eLearning modules for health professionals
✅ Rural and remote outreach led by👉 https://ow.ly/LhXq50VSgcP
A huge thank you to the clinicians, researchers, consumers, families, and advocates who’ve helped shape this work. Read more👉 https://ow.ly/eoGt50VSgcR
Life can change in an instant. Judi Adams’ moment came in November 2021, when she sat down opposite a doctor who delivered the news that would reshape her world: she had pancreatic cancer.
“At a point in time when my whole life was spinning out of control, I wanted to feel like I had some semblance of control,” says Judi.
In a time of uncertainty, Judi chose to take control. She created an Advance Care Directive. She started planning. And she had the conversations many of us put off—about death, dying, and what truly matters most.
Read how planning gave Judi something bigger, a purpose – Facing the end of life with clarity, purpose, and a celebration 👉https://ow.ly/JZsa50VRyv7
