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
Great Australians will step up this Australia Day to challenge our thinking, and share a vision for the future.
One great Australian, Jean Kittson, has lent her voice to our ‘better access to palliative care’ campaign.
“We can not call ourselves a compassionate community when people are dying alone…and where families are struggling with their loved ones at the end of life,” Jean says.
“Let’s make some noise.”
Sign the petition, share your story, support our plan ➡️ https://ow.ly/YcRC50ULAif
Better access to palliative care – worth voting for.
#MattersOfLifeAndDeath
“The next Federal Election is critical. Accessible and affordable GP care is a priority for voters,” says RACGP President Michael Wright.
PCA and our members around Australia, stand with the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) and their plan to ensure essential GP care is affordable and accessible for all Australians.
GPs, nurses, and all those who work in primary health are the palliative care workforce of the future, but they have told us they don’t feel supported in meeting the growing demand for palliative care in their local community.
“Medicare needs proper investment, and we’re calling on all parties to support a 40% increase in patients’ rebates for longer consultations,” Dr Wright says.
This is a key reform in delivering ‘better access to palliative care’ and aligns strongly with PCA’s advice to government.
Better access to palliative care – worth voting for.
Sign the petition, share your story, support our plan ➡️ https://ow.ly/H8Ne50UMilA
#MattersOfLifeAndDeath
Jean Kittson invited you to “make some noise” about the need for better access to palliative care, and you have responded.
Change happens when people and communities come together, and momentum is building ahead of the federal election campaign – lets keep pushing!
Our next goal is 10,000 signatures.
Sign the petition, share your story, support our plan👉🏾 https://ow.ly/H8Ne50UMilA
Better access to palliative care – worth voting for.
#MattersOfLifeAndDeath
🙂Aged care volunteer visitors needed across Australia.
The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme supports regular in-person volunteer visits to give friendship and companionship to older people in our community.
Becoming an aged care volunteer visitor can be a rewarding and life-changing experience. You will make a friend, share stories and help someone who might be feeling isolated or lonely.
Volunteers usually visit for an hour once a fortnight at a time that suits all involved. During a visit a volunteer and older person can do anything you both feel like doing, like:
🧡A cuppa and a chat
🧡Taking a walk
🧡Working on a joint hobby together
Volunteers do not undertake any clinical or home care duties as part of their visits.
Make a difference in 2025, learn more through the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website ➡️ https://ow.ly/lTwM50ULuko
“I think the energy, the level of collaboration, and enthusiasm we have for each other and each other’s work has been so palpable and very moving,” – Rachel Coghlan, says about 23OPCC.
We promise the energy and the spirit of collaboration is only going to get bigger and better at 25OPCC!
With the theme “Connecting Systems for Better Care,” #25OPCC will spark the conversations and connections we need to shape the future of care and resolve the challenges of an ageing population.
Early bird registrations and abstract submissions are now open! Head to the 25OPCC website now 👉 https://icebergevents.eventsair.com/25opcc/
Palliative care is a fundamental right for our elders yet most are missing out.
Palliative Care Australia has a plan to increase access to palliative care in aged care that works within existing healthcare structures.
Sign the petition, share your story, support our plan 👉 https://palliativecare.org.au/campaign/better-access-to-palliative-care-worth-voting-for/
Better access to palliative care – worth voting for.
#MattersOfLifeAndDeath
Growing shortages of essential palliative care medicines are having a devastating impact.
Patients are suffering unnecessarily, enduring heightened pain and distress, because the medications that typically control their symptoms are either unavailable or prohibitively expensive.
Sign the petition, share your story, support our plan👉 https://palliativecare.org.au/campaign/better-access-to-palliative-care-worth-voting-for/
Better access to palliative care – worth voting for.
#MattersOfLifeAndDeath
✨ Remember the last time our sector came together at the Oceanic Palliative Care Conference in 2023? It was unforgettable! ✨
In 2025, we’re bringing the magic to Queensland’s sunny capital, Brisbane! ☀️🏖️ It’s going to be warm, welcoming, and epic.
With the theme “Connecting Systems for Better Care,” #25OPCC will spark the conversations and connections we need to shape the future of care and resolve the challenges of an ageing population.
Aged care, primary health, oncology, dementia care, disability services, paediatrics, First Nations health – we urge all health and care sectors to be part of #25OPCC.
Don’t miss out on early bird rates – secure your spot now 👉 https://icebergevents.eventsair.com/25opcc/registration
🎥 Want to know why 23OPCC was unforgettable? Hear it from those who were there and relive some of the best moments 👇
As the number of older Australians grows and chronic disease increases, there is a large and growing gap between the need for palliative care and the system’s capacity to deliver.
We all know the pressures the health workforce is under – we are grateful for the commitment they show, and we are determined to support them.
Sign the petition, share your story, support our plan 👉 https://ow.ly/XaZn50UE3r1
Better access to palliative care – worth voting for.
#MattersOfLifeAndDeath
Meet the people of palliative care!
Every end of life journey is unique, and the ‘people of palliative care’ series shares these powerful stories – real stories from real people.
Every story is a glimpse into the compassion, resilience and connections that are at the heart of palliative care.
Take a moment this weekend to read these incredible stories 👉 https://ow.ly/OB0U50UE3Tg
A passionate group of bereaved parents and health professionals have come together to create a self-guided, eLearning program to support better communication at the end-of-life in paediatrics.
“I wish there was more openness,” a mother shared while reflecting on her paediatric palliative care journey. You as a health professional can now make that a reality.
Modules 7 and 8 of the Paediatric End-of-Life Care Communication program will help you learn how to better communicate meaningfully across cultures with empathy and respect, while delivering care at the end of life.
Start here 👉 https://ow.ly/bRKV50UE3Yq
Ready to recharge yourselves for the new year? We have got you covered!
Catch up on our Thursdays@3 podcast series with our Spotify Summer Playlist, featuring 10 of our most listened to 2024 conversations, or spend some time with our People of Palliative Care series, short snappy articles featuring people living and working at the end of life.
Start listening or reading now 👉 https://palliativecare.org.au/mediarelease/pcas-2024-25-summer-playlist-and-reading-library/
Planning your calendar for 2025? Make sure you don’t miss out on the most awaited event of the year – the 2025 Oceanic Palliative Care Conference (25OPCC)!!
OPCC has a proud legacy of bringing together health care professionals, experts and decision makers from across the Oceanic region. And with over 1200 delegates expected, you will be placed at the centre of conversations that will shape the future of care.
Early bird registrations and abstract submissions are now open!!
Be one of the first 100 people to register for #25OPCC for your chance to get your money back and receive free registration 👉 https://icebergevents.eventsair.com/25opcc/
The majority of aged care workers (56%) responding to PCA’s 2024 national workforce survey do not think the delivery of quality palliative care has improved in the service they work for in the last 2 years.
Concerningly, one in eight said the delivery of quality palliative care in the service they work for had deteriorated over the same time.
Better access to palliative care – worth voting for.
Sign the petition, share your story, support our plan – go to👉 https://palliativecare.org.au/
#MattersOfLifeAndDeath
