Perron Institute was a proud sponsor of the 2024 Palliative Care Summit organised by Palliative Care WA and held in Perth towards the end of last year.
Officially opened by Health Minister Hon Amber-Jade Sanderson, the theme of the fourth Western Australian summit was ‘Navigating the Crossroads: Building the intersection between palliative care and neurodegenerative disease’.
The event brought together palliative care, aged care and community service professionals, researchers, volunteers, policy makers, students, carers and community members to discuss future priorities for quality palliative care in WA and its role in care for people with neurodegenerative diseases. The summit program aimed to connect emotionally with participants, which it achieved with many heartfelt moments and positive feedback.
Keynote speakers were Professor Hsien Seow from McMaster University, Canada, who presented ‘Evolution of the Waiting Room Revolution: Improving care for neurodegenerative conditions and other illnesses’, and Professor Susan Kurrle AO from the University of Sydney, who presented ‘Improving care near end of life for people with neurodegenerative disease’.
Professor Samar Aoun, Perron Institute Research Chair in Palliative Care at UWA and Chair of Compassionate Communities Australia, presented a talk titled ‘Reframing palliative care for neurodegenerative conditions: Example of Motor Neurone Disease’.
Perron Institute Honorary Research Fellow and UWA Emeritus Professor Alan Harvey presented ‘The lifetime benefits of music on mental and physical health’.
Presenters also included Dr Nathalie Huitema, Caroline Reid, Lenni Duffield, Andrew Allsop, Bernadette Nowak, Dr Peta Murray and Sabena Lund.
MC Di Darmody led a panel discussion, which included Vicki Barry, founder and facilitator of Young Dementia Network WA, Janet Wagland, Brightwater General Manager Disability Services, and Richard Newman, Carers WA CEO.
There was also a performance by the Friends in Harmony Choir for people living with dementia run by SongFest.
Palliative Care WA thanked Perron Institute for their generous sponsorship, along with major sponsor Bethesda Health Care and other valued sponsors and supporters.
For more information visit: palliativecarewa.asn.au.