FOR thirty years, National Palliative Care Week has sparked discussions, increased awareness, and advocated for improved access to and acceptance of palliative care.

With the theme this year What’s Your Plan, National Palliative Care Week runs from Sunday, May 11 to Saturday, May 17 and encourages Australians and their families to engage in conversations about what is most important at the end of life and to create a plan that honours and supports their choices in the final years, months, and days of life.

Palliative Care NSW CEO Kirsty Blades says National Palliative Care Week encourages thinking and discussion about their own future and quality of life, making informed choices, and deciding on preferred care options for individuals and families.

For health and care sectors. it prompts reflection on capacity, innovation, and readiness to meet the

increased demand for palliative and end of life care as our ageing population grows.

For governments, it calls for accountability and creates opportunities to discuss policy, investment, and strategy addressing future palliative care needs.

“It’s a direct approach to Australians and their loved ones to talk about what matters most, and to make a plan that empowers and respects their choices during the last years, months, and days of life,” Ms Blades said.

“When someone becomes seriously ill and their life is expected to be shorter, those conversations about the end of your life are difficult, that’s natural and human, but they are essential conversations.

“That reluctance, and lack of awareness and engagement contributes to a widespread misunderstanding of what palliative care is and what it can offer.

“Palliative Care Week is about changing that, it provides an opportunity to start those conversations, break down taboos, dispel myths, and empower the life and choices that need to be considered with serious illness and ageing.

“Palliative Care has a real focus on the living that’s still left to do and the essential support for you and your loved ones,” she said.

Questions to consider this week include:

What will matter most to you at the end of life? Think about the people around you, what you

enjoy doing, your culture and beliefs, your health and care preferences. What’s your plan?

Do your loved ones know what matters most to you at the end of life? Don’t leave them guessing,

support them to support you. What’s your plan?

And for those in government and representing their communities, the question to be answered is:

What’s Your Plan to support equitable access to quality palliative care?

This week provides an opportunity to reflect on that question and the advocacy, support and actions that can be taken now for better access to palliative care for the residents of NSW in the future.

There are events happening across NSW to celebrate National Palliative Care Week.

To find out more visit 2025 National Palliative Care Week .