Palliative Care Victoria (PCV) hosted its annual summit on Friday, 15 May at Centrepiece, Melbourne Park. The event brought together people from across the sector, and it was great to see Carers Victoria staff there.
The theme for this year’s summit, Every Voice Counts: Collaborative Approaches to Palliative Care, set a strong focus on the importance of working together to support people at the end of life and those who care for them. The Hon. Harriet Shing, Minister for Health, opened the day with an engaging address that highlighted the Victorian Government’s commitment to strengthening palliative care.
Throughout the program, speakers from a range of organisations spoke about the vital role carers and families play. A clear message carried through the day that carers are not separate from the system but central to each person’s care journey.
Carers Victoria has a long and valued relationship with PCV, and this was reflected throughout the summit. One of the highlights was the panel discussion, Palliative Care Population Approaches: Caring for Those Who Care, featuring Carers Victoria's Megan McAlpine. Megan shared insights into carers’ experiences and challenges, along with practical examples of what works well in palliative care. Her contribution brought a strong focus on lived experience and the need for better support.
The day closed with a thoughtful and personal presentation from Professor Kimberley Acquaviva. Drawing on her professional expertise and her experience as a queer woman, she spoke about what it means to provide inclusive palliative care for LGBTQIA+ communities, and the importance of care that respects each person’s identity and experience.
To learn more about Palliative Care Victoria and its work, visit https://www.pallcarevic.asn.au/.
