National Palliative Care Week 2023 - 'Matters of Life and Death'
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
📢 Introducing the new Prompts for End-of-Life Planning (PELP) framework from our friends at caring@home.
The PELP framework guides proactive, high-quality care for people with terminal illness in the last 12 months of their life. PELP is suitable across all care settings to assist health professionals in delivering person-centred care.
More info and download ➡️ https://ow.ly/IU5t50Th5YR
Catch the PCA team, including Board Chair – Prof Meera Agar, Deputy Chair – Dr Peter Allcroft and Project Manager – Chelsea Menchin at the Australia New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine Conference in Adelaide.
The conference is a great opportunity for us to highlight the recently updated National Palliative Care Standards and self-assessment tools.
Can’t be in Adelaide but want to know more about the Standards? Easy ➡️ https://ow.ly/uPBv50Th5QR
Children, young people, and families living with life-limiting conditions are at the heart of a new research initiative.
The Centre of Research Excellence in Paediatric Palliative Care in Australia has been funded with a $3 million grant from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council.
“This is very welcome news and will help support better planning and service delivery for the estimated 40,000 children who could benefit from palliative care each year,” says Camilla Rowland, CEO, PCA.
More ➡️ https://ow.ly/s37N50Tg0Cg
The centre will be led by QUT (Queensland University of Technology) with the support of PCA, UNSW, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, International Children’s Palliative Care Network, Children’s Health Queensland, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, and Flinders University.
PCA is happy to support this joint statement with LGBTIQ+ Health Australia and close to 100 other organisations in support of three new topics on gender, variations of sex characteristics, and sexual orientation variables into the 2026 Census, ➡️ https://ow.ly/iHT250TfZaY
Good data is key to health service planning and policy and critical in delivering the person centred palliative care that is the right of all Australians.
While we’ve got your attention, check out the online training program to help healthcare professionals deliver inclusive care to LGBTIQ+ communities ➡️ https://ow.ly/EBwP50TfZlW
Transitioning to the adult health care system is a big deal, and it can be scary.
The ‘Transitioning to the Adult Health Care System – A Discussion Starter for Young People’ contains a range of questions for you to ask your care team as you get ready to transition to the adult health care system.
To download the discussion starter, or prepare for your child’s transition head to 👉 https://ow.ly/3smT50Tcc83
