09 May 2025
Every day in Australia, 400 people of all ages die of a terminal illness. Every one of them could benefit from palliative care – care that is their human right, care that can enrich their final days, and care that too many people still miss out on.
For thirty years, National Palliative Care Week (NPCW) has opened conversations, raised awareness, and advocated for better access to and acceptance of palliative care.
In 2025, NPCW runs from Sunday 11 May to Saturday 17 May, challenging different groups to take action:
- For individuals and families – it challenges them to think about their own future, make informed choices, and decide how they want to be cared for.
- For the health and care sectors – it prompts reflection on capacity, innovation, and readiness to meet growing demand in a community that feels empowered by end of life planning.
- For government – it calls for accountability, opening an opportunity to discuss policy, investment, and strategy, and addressing the future palliative care needs of our community
NPCW 2025 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 terminal illness and aging.
Health professionals play an important role in advance care planning. As part of your regular assessment, treatment and review of patients in your care, you can get to know what’s important to them, what they worry about, and their preferences for health care.
To support health professionals, EMPHN has curated a list of relevant resources and websites that may be helpful in patient care.
Palliative care resources
- Palliative Care Australia
- Palliative Care Victoria
- Palliative care – EMPHN
- Palliative care support services – EMPHN
- Palliative Care Access to Core Medicines (PCAM) – EMPHN
HealthPathways Melbourne resources
The HealthPathways Melbourne website allows health professionals to access the latest evidence-based assessment, management and referral options across the EMPHN catchment. ​​ 
Pathways serve as clinical decision-making tools, while referral pages help health professionals identify and access local resources and support services. Log in to HealthPathways Melbourne to explore the full suite of palliative care pathways listed below.
Palliative care medications
- Pain Management in Palliative Care
- Pain Medications in Palliative Care
- Syringe Drivers
- Medication Management and Polypharmacy in Older Adults
- Terminal Phase Management
- Subcutaneous Fluid Administration in Palliative Care
- Deprescribing and Dose Administration Aids
- Medication Management and Polypharmacy
- Medicines Information and Resources
- Advance Care Planning (ACP)
- Advance Care Planning (ACP)
- ACP Advice and Assistance
- ACP Documents and Forms
- ACP Important Terms and Explanations
Further support
If you’re seeking information about palliative care or would like to learn how EMPHN can support palliative care education for health professionals or general practice, please contact us at palliativecare@emphn.org.au.
