National Palliative Care Week is held each year to raise awareness of palliative care and the support it provides to people living with serious illness, as well as to their families and carers. The week encourages open conversations about care, comfort, and quality of life.
Why it matters
- Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life for people living with serious, chronic or life-limiting illness.
- It supports pain and symptom management alongside emotional, social and spiritual care.
- Palliative care can be provided at any stage of illness and alongside other treatments.
- Early access to palliative care improves comfort, care coordination and support for families and carers.
- Families and carers often rely on palliative care services for guidance, respite and decision-making support.
- Greater awareness helps reduce fear and misunderstanding and supports informed conversations about care preferences.
National Palliative Care Week highlights the importance of timely, person-centred palliative care and the role it plays in supporting dignity, comfort and choice.
Event Co-ordination / Support
International
- Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance
Global network promoting access to hospice and palliative care through advocacy, education and policy engagement worldwide.
Australia
- Palliative Care Australia
National peak body representing palliative care services, professionals, patients and carers, advocating for high-quality, accessible palliative care across Australia.
