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From our Director
Professor Jennifer Tieman
RePaDD Director
The breadth and scope of palliative care and of death and dying for families for systems and for communities was on display at PCA’s Palliative Care in Aged Care Forum last week in Melbourne. This was not a huge conference but a focused forum where engaged discussion highlighted so many facets of care, of choice and of structures.
The concept of the person at the heart of care and of services and systems was vividly brought to life by COTA, by OPAN, by the Inspector-General Aged Care and by the Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner. The realities of how we must as a sector be engaged in this discussion was clearly on display. We are not silos but integrating systems and at all points we need to support, signpost and recognise the person and the family who need care. And the concept of care must be embedded with authenticity, compassion, and capability. Two days rich in challenge and alive with conversation.
More broadly across RePaDD, the focus has continued to be on grant writing and how research and education activities can support individuals and services to meet the needs of their communities. The National Palliative Care Round Grant Opportunity has been occupying many in the sector and brought back into focus the National Palliative Care Strategy (2018). As we straddle Advance Care Planning Week in March and National Palliative Care Week in May, it is worth reflecting on the Strategy’s Principles and its goals. There are six guiding principles which are seen to be fundamental to ensure that all people experience the palliative care they need. These are aspirational principles that emphasise the need for each of these principles to be visible in all palliative care.
- Palliative care is person-centred care.
- Death is a part of life.
- Carers are valued and receive the care they need.
- Care is accessible.
- Everyone has a role to play in palliative care.
- Care is high quality and evidence-based.
To make the vision for this Strategy a reality, seven goals are outlined Each goal is framed as a simple concept with an explanatory sentence. The goals are: Understanding; Capability; Access and choice; Collaboration; Investment; Data and evidence; and Accountability. I would suggest that we all periodically revisit the strategy to ensure that we are individually and collectively contributing to its vision.
RePaDD updates
From Conversation to Care: RePaDD Seminar Highlights Advance Care Planning and Cultural Perspectives
On 17 March, RePaDD hosted its latest seminar, From Conversation to Care: Advance Care Planning Conversations and Cultural Influences on End-of-Life Decisions, presented by Associate Professor Stuart Ekberg and Dr Yumi Naito.
Held during National Advance Care Planning Week, the seminar brought together insights from communication research and cross-cultural perspectives to explore how advance care planning can better reflect people’s values, preferences and lived contexts. Presentations highlighted the role of real-world healthcare conversations in shaping decision-making, alongside the influence of cultural factors on communication, consent and care at the end of life.
▶️ Watch the seminar recording
You can also explore recordings from previous RePaDD seminars by clicking the button below.
Flinders Ageing Alliance Symposium 2026
The inaugural Flinders Ageing Alliance Symposium brought together researchers, clinicians and community partners to explore how collaborative, evidence-based approaches can improve care and outcomes for older Australians.
RePaDD was well represented at the event, with Associate Professor Jason Mills co-presenting 'The Last Post: Healthy Ageing and Dying as a Veteran in a Compassionate Community,' highlighting the role of community, identity and support at the end of life. Associate Professor Stuart Ekberg also presented 'Understanding and enhancing conversations about dying and death,' sharing insights into how communication shapes care experiences and decision-making.
The symposium showcased the strength of the Flinders Ageing Alliance in bringing together diverse expertise to address the complex challenges and opportunities of ageing.
RePaDD at the Palliative Care in Aged Care Forum 2026
RePaDD was pleased to contribute to the Palliative Care in Aged Care Forum 2026 in Melbourne, presented by Palliative Care Australia at a key time of national aged care reform.
RePaDD Director Professor Jennifer Tieman presented 'From knowledge to practice: Implementation in action,' highlighting how a palliative approach can be embedded into everyday aged care through person-centred, communication-driven and system-connected models of care. She also joined the panel discussion on 'Embedding palliative aged care,' contributing to sector-wide conversations on future priorities for providers, policymakers and educators.
RePaDD member Dr Peter Allcroft also presented on 'Optimising pain management in palliative care,' sharing practical, evidence-based approaches to improving symptom management across care settings.
The forum brought together leaders from across the sector to strengthen the delivery of compassionate, high-quality palliative care for older Australians, with RePaDD contributing research-informed insights to support practice and system change.
Flinders Health and Medical Research Symposium
The inaugural Flinders University Health and Medical Research Symposium was a fantastic showcase of the breadth and impact of research across the University, bringing together researchers, clinicians and partners to share ideas, build connections and highlight collaborative innovation.
RePaDD was pleased to be represented by Dr Claudia Virdun, who presented her work on improving hospital palliative care through patient experience data. Her research highlights the importance of listening to patients, families and clinicians, and demonstrates how empowering teams to act on this feedback can drive meaningful improvements in care at the end of life.
The symposium highlighted the strength of cross-disciplinary collaboration at Flinders, with RePaDD contributing to shared efforts to improve health outcomes through evidence-informed, person-centred care.
Member's Updates
Elizabeth Summerfield was recently published in MJA InSight, with her article highlighting the value of biography programs in supporting meaning, identity and spiritual care for people with life-limiting illness. Read the article here.
Dr Claudia Virdun has been active across research, practice and media, including presenting at the Palliative Care Australia webinar on quality improvement, co-presenting at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Grand Rounds, and contributing to national discussion through an ABC interview on hospital palliative care, which will be aired soon. Stay tuned to the RePaDD LinkedIn channel for details.
Dr Georgia Rowley has been invited to join Multicultural Aged Care’s Palliative Care – CALD Perspectives Community of Practice, contributing her expertise to national discussions on culturally responsive palliative care.
Dr Priyanka Vandersman has been elected Chair of the Nursing and Midwifery in Digital Health Committee at the Australasian Institute of Digital Health, recognising her leadership in digital health and its growing role across care systems.
Project updates
CareSearch
Preparing for the future: Starting a platform redevelopment project
The CareSearch Project Team has begun an exciting redevelopment of our digital platform. Over the coming months, we’ll be enhancing security, functionality, and access to evidence-based resources to move confidently into the future. Meanwhile, our current site will continue to provide the trusted information, resources, and learning tools you rely on.
palliAGED
Explore the new palliAGED learning modules
Developed with feedback from aged care workers and health professionals, the updated modules feature improved interactivity, clearer practice examples, and content aligned with the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. Short, practical learning designed to help you build skills and confidence in palliative care.
Start exploring the new learning experience.
End-Of-Life Essentials
How a Rapid Response Call Can Be a Discussion Opportunity
'Too often, discussions about goals of care happen too late, or not at all. We need not wait until 'end of life' to have end-of-life discussions.'
Read more in the latest End-of-Life Essentials blog 'What a Past Rapid Response Call Can Tell Us About a Patient’s Future' by A/Prof Krishnaswamy Sundararajan, Director of Intensive Care, Royal Adelaide Hospital.
ELDAC
Support at Home End-of-Life Pathway: Legal and Clinical Insights
Join this ELDAC webinar on 15 April 2026 for a discussion on the clinical, legal and ethical challenges that arise when supporting people at the end of life, at home.
This webinar is for allied health professionals, clinicians, and those supporting end‑of‑life care in community and home settings.
CarerHelp
CarerHelp has released new Caring in Aged Care Homes resources to support families preparing for a move into aged care. These new resources help families consider when it may be time, how to manage the transition, and what to ask to ensure quality end‑of‑life care. There are also new videos featuring a local GP, staff and families from Eldercare Maitland, who share what good care looks like and how palliative care works in aged care.
Paediatric Palliative Care Centre of Research Excellence
The Paediatric Palliative Care Centre of Research Excellence is pleased to welcome Bec May in a key knowledge translation role. Bec will support the translation of research into practice, working with clinicians, researchers and partners to improve care for children with life-limiting conditions and their families.
With extensive experience in paediatric and neonatal care, Bec brings valuable clinical and leadership expertise to help bridge the gap between evidence and practice.
Published research
Screening Protocols for Identifying Palliative Care Needs in Primary Care: a scoping review.
Johnson K, Poudel A, Ayalew AA, Thepsourinthone J, Heer S, Morgan D, Mullan J, Bonney A, Clapham S.
This scoping review examines how screening tools are used in primary care to support earlier identification of palliative care needs. It highlights key barriers to implementation, alongside practical enablers such as training, system integration and clinical leadership, underscoring the need for context-sensitive approaches to embed screening into routine practice. Read more
When Every Call Counts: Insights from an Outer Regional Cohort of Palliative Care Patients Using a
Navigation Service in South Australia.
Swetenham K, Tieman J, Holden D, Bisset A, Ricci M, Bahrami MA.
Drawing on data from the Palliative Care Connect program, this study explores how navigation services support people living in outer regional areas. It demonstrates how coordinated support can improve access to care, strengthen decision-making, and enhance patient and carer outcomes, particularly through improved service navigation and home-based care. Read more
Unlocking Potential: Advancing Integrated Palliative Care in Heart Failure Through Supportive Care Clinics.
Singh GK, Hickman LD, Virdun C.
This study investigates symptom burden among patients with end-stage heart failure and highlights the benefits of an integrated cardiac supportive care model. Findings reveal significant unmet needs and demonstrate how early, coordinated palliative care can improve symptom management, support advance care planning, and facilitate timely access to appropriate services. Read more
You can catch up on all of the publications by our members at the RePaDD website.
Want to contribute to RePaDD Updates?
Please submit your story or feedback to repadd@flinders.edu.au
