Health professionals from across northern Queensland came together in Mackay, Port Douglas, and Townsville for a series of Navigating Palliative Care in North Queensland Education and Networking Dinners, hosted by Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) in partnership with PallConsult.
The networking events, which were designed to strengthen the health workforce’s palliative care was well-received by participants, with sentiments praising not just the “informative and practical” education, but also the clear communication from knowledgeable presenters.
The events brought together GPs, primary care nurses, hospital and health service palliative care teams, aged care staff, death doulas, support-at-home workers, and Compassionate Community connectors.
Participants from across northern Queensland attended the three dinners, reflecting the strong interest and commitment to enhancing palliative care services in the region.
Attendees described the events as both professionally rewarding and personally inspiring.
One Townsville participant said it was “informative and practical, and provided valuable insights into navigating palliative care services in the local setting.”
Another participant agreed, noting it was “very informative and directed at all health practitioners.”
Meanwhile, a Townsville participant highlighted the quality of the presenters, saying they were “highly knowledgeable and skilled in palliative care. They communicated topics clearly and were approachable for questions.”
Another participant added that it was “a very informative, interactive evening” and said they would “attend again.”
Each dinner featured expert presentations and discussions from leading clinicians and organisations including:
- BlueCare
- PallConsult
- the Palliative Aged Care Outcomes Program (PACOP)
- Specialist Palliative Care in Aged Care (SPACE)
- Specialist Palliative Rural Telehealth (SPaRTa)
- Care in the Right Setting (CaRS)
- ELDAC – End of Life Directions for Aged Care, and
- Queensland Ambulance Service.
Topics included strategies for managing end-of-life symptoms at home, improved models of care for aged care residents, community-based palliative care services for regional and remote areas, and practical guidance for advance care planning and compassionate communication.
Keynote speaker Dr Greg Parker, Director of the Brisbane South Palliative Care Collaborative, shared valuable insights on navigating difficult conversations with patients and families, highlighting the importance of dignity, advance care planning, and whole-person care.
NQPHN CEO Ben Tooth said the dinners highlighted the power of collaboration.
“Palliative care is about dignity, compassion, and ensuring every person and family receives the right support at the right time,” he said.
“These events showcased the commitment of health professionals across North Queensland to continually improving care, and the strength we have when we come together to share knowledge and expertise.”