National Palliative Care Week 2023 - 'Matters of Life and Death'
National Palliative Care Week 2023 - 'Matters of Life and Death'
Friday, March 17, 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
The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care has released a handy update on where aged care reforms are up to as well as flagging the work still to be done. More ➡️ https://ow.ly/gM7W50RmPsY
Aged Care Minister Anika Wells MP writes, “In 2024, there’s so much more to come. The government is getting closer to a new, rights-based Aged Care Act, working further on the Support at Home program starting in 2025, and supporting sector viability by working through recommendations from the Aged Care Taskforce.”
PCA and our members around the country will continue to make sure that reforms connected to access and delivery of palliative care are central to the health and aged care systems of the future.
Calling all parents, carers, and incredible young people who have experienced paediatric palliative care!
Your voice matters! Partner with us and leading health professionals in ‘Shaping the Future of Paediatric Palliative Care’. Your insights and experiences are invaluable when it comes to meaningful change in the care and support offered to our children, young people and their families.
Your participation starts with one simple step – completing our expression of interest ➡️ https://ow.ly/g01m50QOhOH
Together, let’s create a brighter, better future for paediatric palliative care.
📣Calling all social workers supporting people with a life-limiting illness – especially those with experience navigating the NDIS for support.
Firstly, you’re amazing and thank you for what you do. Secondly, Palliative Care Social Work Australia – PCSWA invite you to complete a quick survey exploring your experiences with the NDIS so they can feedback your learnings and advice to government.
More info, start the survey ➡️ https://ow.ly/b3xf50RjyGK
Please share this link with other social workers in your networks.
Congratulations to our friends at End-of-Life Essentials who have been shortlisted for the World Health Organization (WHO) Health for All Film Festival!
The red carpet has been rolled out for ‘A Patient’s Perspective’ – an amazing animation that explores a patient’s journey with serious illness.
Over 900 filmmakers across 110 countries submitted short films for the 5th WHO Health for All Film Festival, with only 60 films being selected for the shortlist. These films will be reviewed by a jury of international artists and health experts, before the announcement of the winners on 26 May 2024.
You are already winners in our eyes End-of-Life Essentials, good luck, fingers crossed! Thanks for what you do.
Watch and share ‘A Patient’s Perspective’ ➡️ https://ow.ly/8JAq50Rjy9W
“Palliative care often becomes binary-focused, which can inadvertently trigger past traumas. It’s crucial for health professionals to be mindful of this and strive to accommodate the unique needs of each patient” says Bronte Price, a passionate advocate for inclusive end of life care.
An innovative online training program has been launched by LGBTIQ+ Health Australia to help healthcare professionals deliver inclusive care for all Australians, with a specific focus on LGBTIQ+ communities.
More ➡️ https://ow.ly/r8w150RjxU8
