The inaugural Oceanic Palliative Care Conference (19OPCC) will open tomorrow at the Perth Convention Centre, bringing together over 950 clinicians, researchers, policy influencers and the future leaders of palliative care practice representing 20 countries.

The 3-day conference will involve opening addresses by the Hon Greg Hunt (via video), Federal Minister for Health and the Hon Roger Cook MLA, Deputy Premier; Minister for Health; Mental Health

Under the theme Universal Access: Oceans of Opportunities 19OPCC will explore palliative care as a human right and focus on what can be done in Australia and across the Pacific region to ensure access to palliative care for all those who need it.

“Palliative care is on the cusp of change – a great deal of attention is being focused on this area of health care, by all levels of government,” said PCA Board Chair and Conference Co-Convenor, Dr Jane Fischer.

“We know that there is currently inequitable access to palliative care across Australia.”

“Unfortunately, geography, diagnosis, ethnicity and age matter. Many Australians living in regional and remote Australia miss out, as do our Indigenous people, those from other cultural backgrounds, those with diagnoses of dementia or chronic diseases such as chronic lung, heart or kidney disease.”

PCA will be highlighting key issues including increasing public awareness and funding of palliative care, ensuring all health professionals have palliative care training, and advocating to governments to implement the National Palliative Care Strategy to improve access for all Australians.

“The Conference will provide an invaluable opportunity to connect with those working in palliative care – both domestically and internationally – and work towards our common goal of delivering quality palliative care for all who need it, where and when they need it,” said Dr Fischer.

“The program has been tailor made for the industry and includes an incredible group of people from many different walks of life who will share their lived and professional experiences.”

PCA will be joined at 19OPCC by our partners Hospice New Zealand, The International Hospice of Palliative Care Association and other leaders in the Pacific Region.

The Conference will be MC’ed by ABC Perth radio presenter Di Darmody, and feature keynote addresses by Dr Christian Ntizimira, Prof Fran Baum AO and Briony Lyle and Dr Jordan Nguyen.

Some of the highlights of the Conference will include the 2019 Dying to Talk Art exhibition, announcement of the National Palliative Care Awards and the release of the Perth Statement – our collaborative conference declaration to advocate for real change and improvement in the delivery of palliative care.

Dr Jane Fischer, CEO Rohan Greenland and 19OPCC Keynote speakers will be available for interview opportunities

Download PDF of Media release: Inaugural Oceanic Palliative Care Conference Begins in Perth - 10 September 2019