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BSW Regional Palliative Care Forum

Barwon South Western

On Friday May 16, 2025, BSWRICS partnered with the Barwon South Western Regional Palliative Care Consortium to host the BSW Palliative Care Forum.

The forum titled Palliative Care: Where, Why, When? brought together healthcare professionals and industry experts to explore the critical intersections of oncology and palliative care for patient-centred outcomes.

Held concurrently at Deakin Waurn Ponds (Geelong) and Warrnambool, the event featured a full day of insightful presentations and discussions.

We were fortunate to have Dr Mark Dalgleish as our Master of Ceremonies for the event. As a palliative care physician, Dr Dalgleish brought profound insight into the discussions, while his comedic flair kept the atmosphere light and engaging.

Presentations

Attendees experienced a series of powerful presentations:

1. Kelly Rogerson from Palliative Care Victoria presented The Future of Palliative Care in Victoria: Building Compassionate, Inclusive and Accessible Care, focusing on strategic initiatives for palliative care growth.

2. A/Prof Terri Hayes discussed Better Tools and Early Planning Help Build a Better Path for the Journey, highlighting the importance of preparedness and patient-centred planning.

3. Prof Jenny Philip shared insights on Care Plus: Implementing a Model of Early Integrated Palliative Care, showcasing innovative approaches to patient care.

4. Ms Laura Brooks spoke on Culturally Sensitive Communication at the End of Life in Intensive Care, addressing the need for empathy and cultural awareness in critical care settings.

5. Prof Leeroy William explored Regional Palliative Care: Strengths, Services and Addressing the Gaps in Care Delivery, focusing on accessibility and support in regional communities.

6. Meg Harrison presented When is Palliative Care Too Early? Ambulatory Clinics in Palliative Care, a thought-provoking look at early intervention in palliative pathways.

7. Amanda Singleton, Interim CEO of Nursing and Midwifery Health Program Victoria (NMHPV), spoke on Supporting Wellbeing in Nursing and Midwifery, highlighting the role of mindfulness and practical strategies for resilience in high-pressure healthcare settings.

8. Dr Melanie Benson closed the presentations with How to Navigate Difficult Choices in Palliative Oncology: Balancing Autonomy and Beneficence/Non-Maleficence, providing insights into ethical decision-making in care.

Discussion and Networking

The forum concluded with an engaging panel discussion and Q&A, where participants explored real-world challenges and potential solutions for improving palliative care delivery in our region.

While enjoying delicious catering, participants had the opportunity to connect with colleagues, sharing experiences and building stronger networks within the palliative care sector.

Participants left the forum with a wellbeing bag with donations from Cotton On, The Body Shop and Love Tea.

The Victorian Cancer Plan

The Victorian Cancer Plan 2024–2028 emphasises palliative care as a crucial component of cancer treatment. The plan commits to improving the quality of life for both patients and their caregivers through person-centred care that addresses all aspects of wellbeing.

The BSWRICS Palliative Care Forum aligned with these priorities, driving forward conversations and strategies that enhance compassionate care and community support across the Barwon South West region.

This builds on earlier work undertaken by BSWRICS to assess and strengthen palliative care across the state. As the lead organisation for the project Palliative Care and Advance Care Planning: Current Practices in Victorian Cancer Services, BSWRICS played a key role in identifying gaps, highlighting best practices, and recommending improvements to ensure timely access to palliative care and meaningful opportunities for advance care planning.

The findings continue to guide our regional efforts to embed compassionate, patient-centred care within cancer services.

To stay informed about future forums and education opportunities, subscribe to our BSWRICS newsletters and follow us on LinkedIn.