Special E-Bulletin - Palliative Care Australia

National launch of the National Community Education Initiative
Special E-Bulletin
National Palliative Care Week - May 2007
FROM THE CEO
The Hon Senator Brett Mason, Parliamentary
Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing,
launched the new National Community Education
Initiative at a National Launch at Parliament House in
Canberra.
Palliative Care Australia, in partnership with all PCA
member organisations, has been the custodian of the
National Palliative Care Service Directory since its
inception.
Donna Daniell, CEO of Palliative Care Australia,
launches the new Directory at Parliament
House in Canberra on Tuesday.
The Directory is a one step approach for accessing
information on palliative care services across
Australia. It is the first time an online directory has
provided up-to-date information on the depth and
breadth of palliative care services across Australia.
National Palliative Care Week Directory
The National Palliative Care Week activities across the country are progressing very well and I trust that everyone
involved in palliative care is feeling the ground swell in public support for our message – Make a difference … to
someone living with terminal illness.
A full report, showcasing our shared achievements will be delivered soon. In the interim, I seek to brief you on the

two new components of the National Community Education Initiative
• The National Palliative Care Service Directory – new online service
• The Aaron McMillan National Palliative Care Story Collection 2007.
The online Directory provides the following benefits:
• Consumers: providing information to educate and inform patients, families and caregivers about care
options available
• Medical practitioners: allows medical practitioners to contact a palliative care service for back-up
assistance and support when treating a patient at the end-of-life or for referral
• Allows care to be coordinated across care boundaries
Today, the Directory contains over 400 services (based on the 2004 hardcopy directory) and it will be expanded as
new services add and update their profiles. This Directory is now available online at www.pallcare.org.au
As an online service, PCA has successfully harnessed web technology to enable a password driven self administration
process that aims to ensure high accuracy and currency of this important information.
Importantly, the aim of the additional phases of the project is to ensure the service works to support the alignment of
endeavours with national palliative care projects such as Knowledge Network and the Palliative Care Outcomes
Collaboration.
In the next week, PCA will be contacting all services listed in the directory to provide information on how services can
update their profiles.
For the Fact Sheet on the
Directory CLICK HERE
To go to the Directory
CLICK HERE
To read Professor Margaret O’Connor’s
Media Release CLICK HERE.
‘Aaron McMillan’ National Palliative Care Story Collection 2007
The Hon Senator Brett Mason, Parliamentary Secretary to the
Minister for Health and Ageing (right) with Professor O'Connor
(centre) and Gail Puckett (left, and far right) at the National
launch in Canberra.
PCA is pleased to announce the inaugural patron for this special collection.
Aaron McMillan is a young man whose life has inspired all who have met him, listened to the magic of his music or
have had the privilege to know his story. To read Aaron’s story CLICK HERE.
Aaron’s story is also one that illustrates the ideas of palliative care and therefore it is no surprise that he has been

chosen as the inaugural patron.
Aarons’ care was provided through the St Vincent Hospital’s Palliative Care Unit, Sacred Heart.
PCA is grateful for the extraordinary gift that his parents, represented by his mother, Mrs Gail Puckett, has given to us
all, in allowing us to honour Aaron’s story through the aspirations of the National Palliative Care Story Collection.
For the address by Aaron’s mother, Gail Puckett
click HERE.
For a transcript of an interview on Alan Jones’
2GB Breakfast, click HERE
For Senator Mason's Media Release click HERE
To get involved and help promote the National
Story Collection CLICK HERE.
Stay Informed
Palliative Care Australia’s E-Bulletins are designed to keep Australia’s palliative care sector informed on the latest
initiatives, policies and advocacy activities.
Palliative Care Australia (PCA) is the peak national peak body established by the collective membership of eight state
and territory palliative care organisations, plus the Australia and New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine. The
membership of these associations includes palliative care service providers, clinicians, academics, consumers and
members of the general community.
PCA represents the interests and aspirations of all who share the ideal of palliative care available for all.
Contact us: Please direct all inquiries about submitted items or subscriptions to Peter Clack at peter@pallcare.org.au
or 02 6232 4433. For policy matters please contact Fiona Couchman at fiona@pallcare.org.au or 02 6232 4433.
MEMBERSHIP
Please CONTACT MEMBER ORGANISATIONS for information about joining the PCA member organisation in your
state or territory.