Palliative Care QLD, COTA QLD, Carers QLD, Health Consumers QLD, Cancer Council QLD and Metro South Hospital and Health Service have teamed together for the first time to deliver ‘Open Conversations about Life and Death’, a free community forum on Thursday, 24th of June as part of their National Palliative Care Week awareness activities.
The forum will feature talks by authors and end of life healthcare experts, Professor Ken Hillman and Dr Sarah Winch, drawing on their years of education and experience to deliver a conversation starter about life and death with the Queensland community. Over 150 people have registered to attend.
“The vast majority of people often avoid talking about death and dying with their family or friends. I see it all the time – it’s the elephant in the room. We need to encourage more people to embrace that dying is a normal part of life and to speak about what would matter most for them if they could no longer speak for themselves,” said PCQ Chief Executive Officer, Shyla Mills.
Approximately 29,000 Queenslanders die each year and that despite many expressing a wish to die at home, the vast majority die in hospital. For National Palliative Care Week 2018, seven Queensland organisations have partnered to help begin a shift in how people communicate about loss, ageing, disability, dying and grief.
“Our aim for this forum is that we provide a comfortable environment for people to ask questions and start sharing what matters most to them,” said COTA QLD Chief Executive and Health Consumers QLD Chair, Mark Tucker-Evans.
The forum will include a Q&A with guest speakers Professor Hillman and Dr Winch, the opportunity to speak with industry professionals at the Forum information booths, a book signing and complimentary morning tea.
Open Conversations about Life and Death Forum
Thursday, 24 May 2018, 10:00am-11.30am
Translational Research Institute (TRI)
27 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102
To register visit: www.npcwcommunityconversations.eventbrite.com.au or phone 07 3316 2999
Additional sponsors include Brisbane South Primary Health Network and Brisbane Airport Community Giving Fund.
Professor Hillman is the author of ‘A Good Life to the End’ and is a Doctor and Professor of Intensive Care in Sydney
Dr Sarah Winch is the author of ‘The Best Death’ and is a nurse and CEO Of Health Ethics Australia.
National Palliative Care Week
National For more information on National Palliative Care Week visit http://palliativecare.org.au/national- palliative-care-week/
The theme for Palliative Care Week is ‘What Matters Most?’ which asks Australians to reflect on what would be most important to them if they became seriously unwell.
Palliative Care Australia is encouraging everyone to discuss their end-of-life wishes with their loved ones and health care team using the Dying to Talk Resources. The Discussion Starter resource aims to establish what is important with a view to reducing the burden at a difficult time and ensuring that individuals get the care they desire.
Download the Dying to Talk Discussion Starter at www.dyingtotalk.org.au
