The Progressive Push by PCA
Palliative Care Australia (PCA) has unveiled an extensive range of multimedia materials, with a primary aim of spotlighting the paramount importance of the work done within the sector. Moreover, they intend to foster more open conversations surrounding end-of-life planning and awareness.
Camilla Rowland, the Chief Executive Officer at PCA, accentuates the year-round significance of their mission, stating, “We are building on the success of our campaign during National Palliative Care Week in May, because it’s a message that is relevant every week of the year.”
Building Bridges Through Authentic Voices
Delving deeper into the nuances of their outreach, Rowland expresses that those who have had a firsthand experience with palliative care services are typically their most effective advocates. These individuals, she believes, “…can play a powerful role in highlighting the benefits of increased access and better understanding of palliative care.”
Such authentic voices are deemed essential not only for advocacy but also for fostering genuine, heartfelt conversations on envisioning one’s end-of-life journey. As Rowland puts it, “Those of us who work or volunteer in palliative care or have experience through a loved one can also help in opening up conversations about what we want the end of our life to look like.”
Harnessing Digital Platforms for Maximum Reach
The PCA’s newly launched resources – rooted in the successful theme from the 2023 National Palliative Care Week, ‘Matters of Life and Death’ – comprise easily shareable social media tiles, impactful short videos, and expertly curated words of advice. All of these resources are available for public access and distribution via the PCA website.
One of the standout aspects of this initiative is the highlighting of real individuals actively working or volunteering in the realm of palliative care. This approach poignantly encapsulates the theme: the ‘people at the heart of quality palliative care’.
Reiterating the power of collective efforts, Ms Rowland states, “Our collective effort is vital in raising awareness, increasing access, and recognising the contribution of nurses, doctors, allied health professionals, volunteers, and carers.”
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A Clarion Call to the Community
With the introduction of these tools, PCA’s vision is to transform every individual into a potential ally for palliative care. Rowland elucidates, “We are encouraging people to share their experience, start those conversations around death and dying and break down those taboos that often stop us. “
Recognizing the inherent discomfort surrounding such topics, Rowland also acknowledges the imminent necessity of these conversations, given the increasing prevalence of life-limiting illnesses. She states, “We are on a trajectory for a 50% increase in demand by 2030 and a doubling in need by 2050, access and understanding need to grow alongside that.”
Join the Movement
To support this transformative journey, access resources, or connect with a local member organization, individuals are encouraged to visit the PCA website and become invaluable allies in championing palliative care.
