News

The 2024 Palliative Care NSW State Conference took place in Tamworth from the 31st October to the 2nd November and was an incredible opportunity to connect with and learn from colleagues in palliative care across NSW and interstate.

With over 300 delegates, including more than 200 first-time attendees, The 2024 State Conference was PCNSW’s largest regional event yet. We’re thrilled to see so many people in the sector, including Palliative Care Volunteers and Palliative Care Volunteer Managers, taking the opportunity to connect, learn, and engage with colleagues from across the state. The incredible turnout even caught the attention of NBN News.

Overall the feedback has been positive and inspired, and we would like to thank those who attended, contributed, presented and sponsored this conference particularly the HNELHD team for making it a huge success.

Photo Gallery and more

We would like to share photos from the event that can be viewed and downloaded by clicking HERE. (Please note these photos will be available to download until 31 January 2025.) Additionally, you can watch a brief summary video on our Facebook page by clicking HERE. While you’re there, it would be a good idea to follow our page for regular updates.

Concurrent Session highlights

“This is the First Time I Have Dared to Talk Like This” Lillian’s Story of Domestic Violence and Trauma and the Implications for Palliative Care.

Presented by Joan Ryan OAM, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

Domestic abuse and trauma are known to affect one in four women and has significant long term health implications. Often described as a ‘Silent epidemic’, it is hard to determine the actual numbers as many incidents go unreported, some for decades and well into old age. Current mainstream health services lack the awareness required to support elderly patients with a history of traumatic life events. They often become distressed and re-traumatised with threat of death and referral to Palliative Care. This vulnerable patient population remain under-served and under-recognised within palliative care services.

Tracking the Post-COVID Recovery of Palliative Care Volunteer Services in NSW – Poster presentation
Presented by Kate Bowman, Palliative Care NSW. Co-authored by James MacDonald, PACE Student, Macquarie University.

Recent restrictions on palliative care volunteer service delivery in NSW due to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a dramatic downturn in volunteer numbers and activity. Now restrictions have eased, this research sought to track the post-COVID recovery of services by investigating service activity, barriers and challenges to resuming service, and hopes for the future. In April of 2024, representatives from 38 palliative care volunteer services in NSW were invited to participate in the research. Findings show an increase in volunteer numbers and volunteer hours despite almost half of the services having not yet returned to their pre-COVID capacity.

The full research report will be published next month and available for free download on the VolunteerHub.

First Place Winner – Best Poster Competition

“Emotional design for the Tamworth Hospital Palliative Care Unit” 

Presented by Karen Height, Hunter New England LHD.

An Emotional Design Brief was undertaken for the Tamworth Hospital Palliative Care Unit project to support the architects to create spaces that respond to the clinical and emotional needs of the patients, carers and staff. The Emotional Design Brief is a crucial stream of evidence informing the architectural design and is Is unique to Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD).

Authors and Contributors:
Karen Height, Facility Planner, HNELHD; Professor Maralyn Foureur, Professor of Nursing and Midwifery Research, University of Newcastle and HNE Local Health District; Connie Matthews, Facility Planner, HNELHD; Mary-Anne Dieckmann, Transitional Nurse Practitioner, Tamworth Palliative Care Unit, HNE Local Health District and Angela Smith Liaison Librarian, Research Support, HNE Health Libraries, HNE Local Health District

Exhibitors

We were fortunate to have a diverse range of exhibitors who greatly enhanced the experience for our delegates. They showcased a wide range of solutions and resources tailored specifically for palliative care health professionals across the sector. We encourage you to find out more about these organisations by clicking HERE.

Burling Turn Assist Bed | HammondCare | caring@home | Menarini | Palliative Aged Care Outcomes Program (PACOP) | Palliative Care ECHO® | Patient VR |
PEPA NSW | UTS – Palliative Care at UTS.