For the past 30 years, National Palliative Care Week has sparked meaningful conversations, raised community awareness, and helped improve both access to and acceptance of palliative care across Australia. This year, it runs from 11-17 May, with a powerful and personal theme: "What's Your Plan?"
This simple, yet profound question encourages all of us to think ahead, express our wishes, and explore what palliative care truly means. It also invites us to pause and reflect on one of the most essential-yet often misunderstood-areas of healthcare.
Palliative care is not about dying, it's about living well, even in the face of a life-limiting illness. It prioritises comfort, dignity, and -above all, quality of life. It's not about giving up; it's about leaning in. Palliative care goes beyond physical symptoms, supporting emotional, social, and spiritual wellbeing. It's about helping people live as well as possible, for as long as possible.
At Palliative and Supportive Care Education (PaSCE), part of Cancer Council WA and recognised by the Department of Health as Western Australia's preferred provider of palliative education, we are proud to contribute to the future of palliative care. We deliver responsive, evidence-based education led by respected health professionals. Our aim is to empower clinicians across WA to provide compassionate, holistic, and person-centred care.
Palliative care is not solely the responsibility of specialists, it's a shared responsibility. Every healthcare worker, regardless of role or experience, deserves access to the knowledge, tools, and support needed to provide the best possible care for all people.
This National Palliative Care Week let's ignite the conversation. Let's honour the strength of those living with life-limiting illness and the dedication of their families and carers. And let's continue to advocate for equitable access to high-quality palliative care across all health systems-available to all Australians, regardless of age, gender, background, or postcode.
To have a look at upcoming PaSCE education head to our website.
Wriiten by Timothy Ryan, Manager, Palliative and Supportive Care Education (PaSCE), Cancer Council WA
