Every day in Australia around 400 people die of a terminal illness, mostly heart disease, dementia, stroke, lung cancer, and respiratory disease. All of those people and their families would benefit from palliative care, but not all of them have access to it.

Despite the vast majority of these people meeting the criteria for palliative care, more than three in five (62%) do not receive specialist palliative care at any stage.

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. If we are to meet the care needs of now and the future, we must harness and build the capacity of our local communities to play their role in the delivery of care.

Connecting communities and formal health systems is the future of care - its a combined effort, without that collaboration we fail each other.

Join us for a crucial and timely symposium lead by Canadian professor, Hsien Seow. Prof Seow and a panel of other experts will explore what greater collaboration between health systems and local communities looks like. Bring your passion and experience to the conversation on Thursday, 14 November, 2 pm to 6pm at Rydges Central Sydney.

Meet our experts:

Professor Hsien Seow travels the world advocating for stronger, more human connections between health systems and the people and families they are called to serve.

Having earned his doctorate from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and his Bachelor of Science from Yale University, Hsien is currently the Research Chair in Palliative Care and Health System Innovation at McMaster University, Canada.

Driven by a passion that is connected to his mum’s end of life experience with breast cancer, Hsien is focused on innovation within health systems and improving quality of care.

After his ‘rock star’ like reception at the 2023 Oceanic Palliative Care Conference last September in Sydney, he is back to build on the momentum he creates wherever he goes, and to reconnect with fans of his hit podcast series ‘The Waiting Room Revolution’ and best-selling book, ‘Hope for the Best Plan for the Rest’, co-authored with Dr Sammy Winemaker.

Heike Fabig and Richard Boele are parents of Kai and Bodhi, who both died at home. Heike and Richard will share their personal perspective of caring for their two sons at home, and the difference in the palliative approach of each experience.

Joanna McIlveen is a social worker and is passionate about the role of social work in palliative care. She is currently undertaking a PhD exploring acute hospital and community partnerships in caring towards end-of-life. Jo is the Grief and Bereavement Coordinator at South Eastern Sydney Local Health District.

Anne Kubiak is the founder of 'Full Circle – End of Life Matters', she is a registered nurse, end of life douala, and health policy innovator, who envisions a more compassionate and choice-driven approach to end-of-life care. Her mission is to provide a holistic, anxiety-free experience where people can die with dignity. Full Circle’s model, led by doulas and supported by physicians, addresses the physical, emotional, spiritual, and practical needs of each person. Anne is dedicated to transforming the experience of death from one of fear to one of acceptance, compassion, and honour.

Dr Clay Spencer is a senior medical doctor and valued member of the Full Circle team, has a background in psychiatry, medicinal cannabis, and herbal medicine and is currently training as a psychedelic-assisted therapist. He is dedicated to using natural methods to manage pain and anxiety at the end of life and aims to bring doctors back into the community through meaningful therapeutic relationships.

Holly Smith is the HELP Partnership Coordinator with the Healthy End of Life Program at La Trobe University. Holly specialises in community development and social change work and has a special interest in inter-generational best-practice.

This powerful and positive conversation seeks to provide solutions and guidance to one of the challenges of our time, rather then adding to our anxiety and fear.

Join us and you will leave empowered to make a meaningful impact on palliative care and end-of-life support in your professional practice and local community.

Our approach to care needs to change to meet the needs, be part of that change. Join this conversation and tap into global, national, and local insights.

In-person and online streaming options are available:

Date: Thursday, 14 November 2024

Location: Rydges Sydney Central

Time: 2-6pm AEDT

Cost: $65 - $85 (excluding GST) includes afternoon tea and networking drinks for in-person attendees.

Register via Humanitix

Open to all health professionals and volunteers, and those with an interest in making our communities stronger.