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Former nurse Teresa Plane is recognised as a pioneer of modern palliative care in Australia. Having studied palliative care models of care around the globe she came back to Sydney and created the very first modern palliative care unit with a multidisciplinary team in place at Mt Carmel Hospital in 1978.

Honoured as NSW 2023 Senior of the Year, Teresa sees the opportunity to advocate for improvements in palliative care. With an ageing Australian population Teresa says we just cannot postpone discussions about death and dying.

“I really want to see palliative care introduced earlier, from the time of first diagnosis,” Ms Plane said.

Teresa has a long history of sharing her knowledge through international forums, universities, and national conferences. Even though she is approaching 90, she continues to advocate and volunteer.

Palliative Care Australia has launched their Thursdays@3 podcast with an interview of Teresa Plane by Ian Campbell.