Webinar shines light on palliative needs in Country SA during National Palliative Care Week 2025

Country SA PHN Newsletter June 2025

National Palliative Care Week (NPCW) is an annual awareness campaign that highlights the vital role palliative care plays in enhancing quality of life for people living with a life-limiting illness, along with their families and caregivers. Held from 11-17 May, this year's theme - “What’s Your Plan?” - encourages all Australians to think ahead, talk about care preferences, and take practical steps toward planning for the future.

NPCW is also a time to acknowledge the dedication of palliative care teams — doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, volunteers, and caregivers — who provide compassionate, person-centred support every day.

Country SA PHN recognises the crucial role nurse practitioners and health professionals play in identifying when someone may benefit from a palliative approach to their care. To support this, Country SA PHN funded a webinar hosted by Palliative Care South Australia during National Palliative Care Week 2025, titled Addressing Palliative Needs in Country SA.

The session featured a panel of experts who shared practical insights on:

• Current priority areas for palliative and aged care in country South Australia
• Understanding goals of care
• Recognise when someone is dying
• Timely referrals to palliative care
• Effective communication
• Navigating services and supports
• Education and resources available for your patients and residents

A sincere thank you to our hosts and guest speakers for sharing their expertise:

• Shyla Mills - CEO of Palliative Care South Australia
• Jason Gabriel - Palliative Care Nurse Educator, Regional Hospice in the RACF Project
• Myles Morrison – Palliative Care Navigator, Palliative Care Connect
• James Cheesman – Executive Manager, Clinical Governance & Development, FocusOne Health
• Litza Myers – HealthPathways SA Clinical Coordinator, Country SA PHN

Published on: June 5, 2025