In an initiative to broaden its membership base, Palliative Care Australia (PCA) has welcomed Palliative Care Nursing Association (PCNA) as an Affiliate Member.

PCA recently changed its constitution to enable organisations with similar objectives and purposes to be admitted as Affiliate Members.

Affiliate Members will join PCA’s National Policy Advisory Committee which guides development of policy positions and provides input from the sector on issues.

PCA CEO Liz Callaghan said the changes, made at a Special General Meeting, combined national associations into the Affiliate Members category.

“PCA is committed to representing all of palliative care and raising awareness and understanding in the community of all the great work being done in this area around Australia.

“As a united voice we can build good quality position statements and provide good advice to government about the sector and how we can work together to make it better for patients.

“We look forward to PCNA’s valuable input,” said Ms Callaghan.

PCNA president Professor Jane Phillips said the organisation represents specialist and primary palliative care nurses and has about 400 members.

“We are delighted to have become an affiliate member and we congratulate PCA on having updated its structure to enable other palliative care organisations to have a voice.

“Having that voice is really important, because nurses represent the largest sector of the health workforce and care for palliative care patients and families living in a variety of different settings.

“Effective palliative care is dependent upon great interdisciplinary care, so is appropriate that nurses have an opportunity to contribute to shaping policy as each discipline brings a different perspective to the table.”

As part of these changes Australia and New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine also becomes an Affiliate Member.