Palliative Care Australia is excited to launch the scholarships program for the Oceanic Palliative Care Conference (OPCC) this September in Sydney.
"We know that the cost of taking part will be a barrier to some people, and our hope is that these scholarships will enable important voices to be heard and experiences to be shared," says Camilla Rowland, Chief Executive Officer, Palliative Care Australia (PCA).
"OPCC also represents a critical learning and development opportunity for nurses, doctors, allied health, volunteers, and others. We want that to influence and grow the care people receive right across Australia and the wider Oceanic region."
With the support of the Department of Health and Aged Care and Cancer Australia, scholarships range in value between $560 and $5000 and can be used to cover the full cost of OPCC registration as well as travel and accommodation.
Everyone is welcome to apply, but priority will be given to the following categories:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers
- Palliative care consumers and carers
- Palliative care volunteers
- People with less than three years' experience in palliative care who have not previously attended the Oceanic Palliative Care Conference
- People working in palliative care in rural or remote areas of Australia
- People working in palliative care from the Oceanic region
"A diversity of representation is important in shaping palliative care now and in the future, and we need to create a framework that allows and encourages people of all backgrounds to get involved," Ms Rowland says.
"I'd urge anyone interested in attending OPCC but thinking twice because of the costs, to apply for a scholarship."
Applications will be open until Friday, 16 July and will be assessed by an independent panel based on the published application priorities.
