National Palliative Care Week 2023 - 'Matters of Life and Death'
National Palliative Care Week 2023 - 'Matters of Life and Death'
Friday, May 12, 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
This is BIG news! 😃 We are beyond excited to reveal keynote speakers for #25OPCC. 📣
Professor Brian Dolan is a dual-qualified nurse, global advocate, and OBE award recipient. Known for his invaluable contributions to nursing and emergency care, Prof Brian has held multiple leadership positions and full and honorary professorships at leading universities.
Dr Jun Sasaki is a General Practitioner, Gastroenterologist, and the CEO of Yushoukai Medical Corp, Japan’s largest group of home care clinics. He is an award-winning innovator, and an expert in the healthcare needs and challenges of an ageing population.
Professor Myra Bluebond-Langner is the Professor of Palliative Care for Children and Young People (Emeritus) at University College London. For 40 years, Prof Bluebond-Langner has pioneered the social scientific study of children with life-limiting conditions and now leads the largest concentration of paediatric palliative care researchers in Europe. Her work has informed national policies and clinical practice and she continues her passion to improve the lives of seriously ill children, young people and families.
Find out more about them here 👉 https://icebergevents.eventsair.com/25opcc/keynote-speakers
RACGP News reports, “A GP-led study has revealed the critical role general practice plays in delivering high-quality care to cancer patients at the end of life.”
Research lead, Dr Matthew Grant says, “It’s clear that GPs are central to supporting patients during this critical time, particularly in managing pain and other symptoms. Yet, there are areas where we need to improve access and continuity.”
Catch up of the research ➡️ https://ow.ly/rpRE50UUsmq
Support PCA’s plan for ‘better access to palliative care’ through primary health, sign our petition ➡️ https://ow.ly/RFaK50UUspA
Primary health care nurses are critical to ‘better access to palliative care’ now and into the future – thank you for what you do every day in local communities around Australia, and thank you to our friends at APNA – Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association for empowering the work of your members and the impact they have.
To support ‘better access to palliative care’ via primary health, sign our petition ➡️ https://ow.ly/o0WA50UTLci
#PHCNDay2025 #APNANurses #MattersOfLifeAndDeath
The number of deaths per year is on track to almost double in the next 50 years as our population ages.
Investment in the delivery of palliative care is already not keeping pace with that growing demand.
Better access to palliative care – worth voting for.
Sign the petition, share your story, support our plan ➡️ https://ow.ly/lteV50UQMPp
#MattersOfLifeAndDeath
😎The new ELDAC – End of Life Directions for Aged Care website is live.
It is a hub of knowledge and support for those working in aged care, with free and easy to access tools and information about palliative care.
There are around 456,000 aged care workers in Australia (thanks for what you do) with ELDAC resources for:
🧡Care workers
🧡Nurses
🧡Allied health professionals
🧡Educators
🧡Service managers
ELDAC will help increase your knowledge, skills, and confidence, so that the people in your care have ‘better access to palliative care’.
Check out the new website now ➡️ https://ow.ly/5SOa50UQMMQ
🎉 Lucky Draw Alert – Only a few spots left! 🎉
Register now and be one of the first 100 to enter the draw to win back your registration fee! 🎟️💰
This is a unique opportunity to be amidst 1200+ like-minded professionals, experts, and decision-makers at the most anticipated event of 2025 in our sector’s calendar.
Aged care, primary health, oncology, dementia care, disability services, paediatrics, First Nations health – all parts of the health and care sectors will be part of a global conversation in beautiful Brisbane, in September at #25OPCC.
Hurry up! Don’t miss out 👉 https://ow.ly/IL6P50UQMxf
The Senior reports ‘Palliative care patients going without pain relief as medicine shortages bite’. Catch up on the full story ➡️ https://ow.ly/mGoK50UQMxH
Support PCA’s 11 point plan to fix this ongoing issue and sign our petition for ‘better access to palliative care medicines’ ➡️ https://ow.ly/t2mv50UQMzV
#MattersOfLifeAndDeath
In partnership with The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, we are proud to offer scholarships for #25OPCC!
It is going to be a game-changing experience, with a dynamic lineup of sessions, including expert speakers, and plenty of opportunities to share ideas and collaborate with your peers.
We know that the cost of registration can often be a barrier to attending. So, we hope these scholarships break down those barriers and help you bring your voice to the table.
Scholarships are open to anyone working or volunteering in the palliative care sector and cover the cost of registration, accommodation and travel.
Find out other eligibility criteria and how to apply 👉https://ow.ly/Echv50UQ5E0
The Aged Care Royal Commission said palliative care must become “core business” in the delivery of aged care services.
It’s been six years since the Royal Commission started, and despite positive reforms, there is still much to do to reach this goal.
Of the 185,000 people living in residential aged care, 92% would benefit from palliative care.
Better access to palliative care – worth voting for.
Sign the petition, share your story, support our plan ➡️ https://ow.ly/NSw450UPaxA
#MattersOfLifeAndDeath
Congratulations to those in the palliative care community recognised for their service, skill, and compassion with an Australia Day Honour or Award:
🧡Professor Samar Aoun, WA
For significant service to community health through palliative and aged care research, and to tertiary education. Including, Research Chair in Palliative Care – Perron Institute, The The University of Western Australia, Board Member – Palliative Care WA, Chair – Compassionate Communities Australia.
🧡Professor Paul Glare, NSW
For significant service to medicine in the field of pain management and palliative care. Including, Director – Pain Foundation Ltd – Australia, Head of Palliative Care – Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, President – Australian New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine.
🧡Geoffrey Davidson, VIC
For service to the community of Upper Beaconsfield, including, Volunteer – Palliative Care South East Ltd.
🧡Cheryl Dunn, NSW
For service to nursing, including, Director of Nursing – Sacred Heart Hospice, Palliative Care Tutor and Lecturer – University of Sydney, and Former President – Palliative Care NSW.
🧡Lan Le, SA
For service to the Crown, and to the community of South Australia, including, Patron – Palliative Care South Australia.
🧡The late the Honourable Kevin James Andrews, VIC
For significant service to the people and Parliament of Australia, including, Advisory Board – Caritas Christi Hospice, and Executive Member – Centre for Palliative Care.
🧡Belinda Lewis, QLD
For service excellence and sustained leadership to deliver innovative policy and programs in the areas of women’s health, palliative and end-of-life care, and aged care.
🧡Michael Foley OAM, NT Senior Australian of the Year
For more than 40 years, Michael has been contributing to the recognition of senior citizens in our communities and their mental wellbeing, and raised thousands of dollars and volunteered countless hours for community organisations such as Cancer Care NT, Variety and Royal Darwin Hospital Palliative Care Hospice.
🧡Megan Gilmour, ACT Australian of the Year
When her son survived a traumatic illness, Megan vowed to support the 1.2 million Australian children at risk of missing school due to chronic medical and mental conditions. Megan co-founded MissingSchool to keep these students connected to school, learning alongside their peers, from hospital or home.
Know someone who deserves a pat on the back? Nominate now ➡️ https://ow.ly/vGS150UOjcP
With over 40,000 children and young people expected to call on paediatric palliative care services annually, effective communication is an essential skill for health professionals working with these precious people and their loved ones.
Thanks to the Australian Medical Association for encouraging clinicians to take up our free Paediatric Palliative Care End of Life Communication Course ➡️ https://ow.ly/U6Ve50UMiBw
The course responds to a growing demand for better skills in this sensitive environment.
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
