Palliative Care NSW

24/08/2026

🚨 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬

Early Bird registration closes on 31 August.

Join hundreds of healthcare professionals to discuss:
🔸 Innovative models of care
🔸Evidence-based practice
🔸Workforce development

Don't miss your opportunity to register at the discounted rate!

📍 Sydney Masonic Centre
📅 19-21 October 2026
👉 Registration fees start from $740

Register now: https://pcnswconference.org.au/registration/

21/08/2026

𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

The Palliative Care NSW State Conference will be held in Sydney from Monday 19th to Wednesday 21st October.

We know that a key part of the decision or approval process are any related travel costs. Great news is that right now there are some significant sales on airfares, but these sales end in the next few days.

Here is some more information to make your travel planning a little easier, along with some other tips and ideas for your time in Sydney:

𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐧𝐨𝐰, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐨𝐧:
🔸Qantas fares from $149 each way from Orange and Dubbo, $179 from Wagga Wagga and $159 from Armidale
🔸Jetstar Australia fares from $81 one way from Ballina to Sydney
🔸Regional train travel is another option for getting to Sydney

𝐀𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 is also available within a short walk of the conference venue, with selected options from around $225 per night. NSW Health and Government staff may also be eligible for accommodation at $185 per night.

By clicking on the following link, you can explore all those options, including how to make the most of your time while in Sydney: https://pcnswconference.org.au/supporting-your-conference-attendance/

𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐦𝐢𝐝𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝟑𝟏 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔.

20/08/2026

𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝟑𝟏 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭!

Join us in Sydney from 19-21 October for three days of learning, connection and inspiration.

✅ 5 Workshops
✅ Engaging keynote speakers
✅ 40+ presentations
✅ 12 concurrent streams
✅ Interactive Learning Labs
✅ Welcome Reception
✅ Celebration Dinner

View the program here: https://pcnswconference.org.au/program/

📍 Sydney Masonic Centre, Sydney
⏰ Early Bird registrations close 31 August.
👉 Registration fees start from $740

Register today and save: https://pcnswconference.org.au/registration/

18/08/2026

Providing much more than just a legacy document, biography or life story programs are being offered by a growing number of palliative care volunteer services across NSW. The following Sydney Morning Herald article explores the impact of biography programs in palliative care and the profound difference storytelling can make for people facing a terminal illness::

https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/after-a-terminal-diagnosis-this-simple-act-brought-matthew-joy-20260728-p60j9w.html

The article features Professor Megan Best, whose research explores how storytelling and biography work can help people find meaning, connection and legacy at the end of life.

We're delighted that Professor Best will be speaking at our state conference in the Complex Minds, Compassionate Care stream, and also at our Volunteer Managers conference, presenting:

Storytelling at End of Life: Evaluating the Establishment of Volunteer-Led Biography Programs in Palliative Care

Don't miss this opportunity to hear from Professor Best at our Conference in October:

📍 Sydney Masonic Centre, Sydney

⏰ Early Bird registrations close 31 August
👉 Registration fees start from $740

Register today and save: https://pcnswconference.org.au/registration/

Biography services bring life back into death for palliative care patients, and they are growing in popularity at home and abroad.

11/08/2026

Early Bird registration for the 2026 Palliative Care NSW State Conference closes at midnight on 31 August!

Join colleagues from across the sector for two days of learning, connection, and inspiration, featuring keynote speakers, concurrent streams, workshops, poster presentations, learning labs, an interactive exhibition space, and celebration events.

📍 Sydney Masonic Centre, Sydney
📅 Mon, 19 Oct 2026 - Wed, 21 Oct 2026

Check out the program and secure your place before Early Bird pricing ends.

Scan the QR code or visit the conference website today: https://pcnswconference.org.au/

11/08/2026

Two students from Macquarie University are joining us this semester to work on our longitudinal research project – 𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: 𝐀 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐒𝐖.

Every four years, we engage every NSW palliative care volunteer services in research. Our aim is to provide an update on service provision and get a snapshot of the health of the sector. Our 2022 Snapshot was undertaken under the cloud of COVID restrictions with volunteer numbers at an all-time low. Knowing many services have been recruiting we look forward to mapping how much the sector has grown.

Learn more by clicking here:

Two students from Macquarie University are joining us this semester to work on our longitudinal research project – Snapshot 2026: A review of Palliative care Volunteering in NSW.

07/08/2026

Dying to Know Day: Start a Conversation

Dying to Know Day is a national campaign that has been bringing Australians together since 2013 to start conversations about death, dying and grief. Each August, hundreds of community events and activities are held across the country, encouraging people to learn about, discuss and plan for end-of-life wishes while supporting others to do the same.

One important way to start these conversations is through Advance Care Planning. Advance Care Planning helps people reflect on and communicate their values, preferences and wishes for future healthcare, ensuring that what matters most to them is known and respected.

As part of Dying to Know Day, we're sharing a video that highlights the importance of having these conversations early. Talking about future wishes may not always be easy, but it can provide peace of mind for individuals, families and those who may one day be involved in making healthcare decisions.

🎥 Watch our video and take the opportunity to start a conversation today.

07/08/2026

Aged Care Employee Day, held annually on 7 August, celebrates the thousands of dedicated workers supporting millions of older Australians in aged care, retirement living and seniors housing.

Today we recognise and thank the individuals and teams supporting older Australians, especially those providing quality palliative and end of life care.

We were delighted to meet and connect with aged care professionals at the Nepean Blue Mountains Health Conference today and would like to highlight the following clinicians featured in photos below:

🔸Karin Lucin, Clinical Nurse Specialist, BaptistCare Aminya Centre Aged Care Home, Baulkham Hills NSW
🔸Sharon Bradshaw, Aged Care Nurse Practitioner, NBMLHD
🔸Hailey Carpen, Aged Care Nurse Practitioner, NBMLHD

Thank you for sharing your expertise and passion for improving the care and wellbeing of older Australians.
We acknowledge your professionalism, commitment and care.



Ageing Australia

07/08/2026

Today, Palliative Care NSW was pleased to attend the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District Annual Supportive & Palliative Care Conference in Penrith: Care Beyond Cure, Stories that Shape Us.

Representing PCNSW were Kirsty Blades, CEO, and Maria Lopez, Membership & Digital Engagement Coordinator, joining delegates from inpatient, outpatient, community, volunteer services and residential aged care services from across the Nepean Blue Mountains region and throughout NSW. Josh Cohen, PCNSW Management Committee Member and Nurse Practitioner was also in attendance as a speaker.

The conference featured a diverse and thought-provoking program, with topics including:

• Palliative Care in the Intensive Care Unit
• Conversations That Matter: Embedding Advance Care Planning
• When Progress Looks Different
• Palliative Care in the Context of Intellectual Disability
• Horizons: How Changing the Environment Improves Health Outcomes
• The Evolving Role of the Nurse Practitioner in End of Life Care
• Keynote Address: "Still Worth Getting Out of Bed Each Monday Morning?"
• Stitching Comfort: An Aboriginal Quilt Project

Thank you to the organisers, presenters and attendees for a day of learning, collaboration and innovation in supportive and palliative care.

Nepean Blue Mountains Health

07/08/2026

Today we attended the Community Expo at Stanhope Gardens, hosted by Western Sydney Local Health District. PCNSW team member, Emma, delivered an informative presentation on palliative care, sharing insights into the support and services palliative care can provide for individuals. families navigating serious illness.

We also had a community information stand where attendees could access flyers, resources, and speak with us about palliative care, advance care planning, and available support services.