Palliative care in focus on Dying To Know Day

As one of the longest running palliative care conferences in Australia, the popular event drew over 160 attendees from across NSW and beyond, representing supportive and palliative care in inpatient, community, non-government and volunteer settings.

The program was headlined by keynote speaker Dr Joanne Doran, Senior Staff Specialist at Gold Coast University Hospital, whose influential work explores the vital role empathic communication plays in palliative care.

“Surgeons have scalpels, palliative care workers have communication,” said Dr Doran, who also commented on the potential and creativity found in non-metropolitan palliative care settings.

“I think regional and rural palliative care have so much to offer, and there's a lot of innovation in that space.”

Presenter Linda Ora, Project Manager for end-of-life care at NBMLHD, outlined a period of growth for supportive and palliative care in the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, driven by government investment, new facilities, and a co-designed model of care aimed at delivering equitable, high-quality support across all settings.

“We’re in the final stages of developing a new, District-wide model of care, co-designed closely with consumers,” explains Linda.

“Our new palliative care space at Nepean Hospital is set for completion at the end of 2026, and this is happening alongside other work to strengthen governance and ensure that care is equitable, coordinated and integrated.”

Linda Ora, Project Manager, End of Life and Palliative Care, NBMLHD

These advances build on other recent innovations within NBMLHD, including the creation of purpose-built palliative care rooms at Lithgow Hospital, and refurbishment of palliative care rooms in Springwood and Blue Mountains hospitals. These projects demonstrate the District’s enduring commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care.

The remainder of the conference program covered a wide spectrum of topics, including palliative care in emergency departments, end-of-life visions, interdisciplinary teamwork, prison-based care, equity in service delivery, and the therapeutic value of humour.

These sessions reflected the diversity of organisations represented, from hospitals and community services to universities and specialist non-government organisations.

NBMLHD Chief Executive Brad Astill, who delivered the closing address, praised the work of palliative care professionals.

“Our palliative care staff provide both clinical care as well as an environment of care at the most challenging of times; when there is high emotion, anxiety and concern, and they do this with the aim of providing comfort and kindness to patients and their families.”

Brad Astill, Chief Executive, NBMLHD

With positive feedback year after year, and an ever-growing scope, the NBMLHD Supportive and Palliative Care Conference remains a cornerstone for learning, connection and inspiration in the field.