Sector news

In this blog, Felicity Bates and Geena Bennett, explores how distress evolves for people living with a life-limiting illness in rural Australia. The study found that distress follows a U-shaped pattern, peaking early after diagnosis, easing during ongoing care, and rising again in the final weeks of life. Fear of suffering and pain was the most consistent concern throughout. The blog also highlights the need for holistic, person-centred care and stronger psychosocial support in rural communities. 

In this blog, Dr Marg Ross, Senior Clinical Psychologist at St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, explores the emerging role of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in supporting people living with life-limiting illness. International trials in people with cancer have shown rapid and sustained reductions in depression and anxiety, though further research is needed to better understand long-term outcomes and how this approach may be integrated into care.

In this blog, Dr Pauline Gillan and Professor Christina Parker examine current approaches to managing pressure injuries at the end of life, identifying inconsistencies between guidelines and practice.

In this blog, Dr Adarsh Das and A/Prof Jayamangala Sampath Kondasinghe explore the often overlooked impact of chronic hiccups in palliative care and the limitations of current treatments. They call for a shift toward comfort-focused, person-centred care that prioritises quality of life over cure.

In this blog, Dr Claudia Meyer explores how respite and transition care can be reimagined through a person-centred, rights-based approach that supports both people living with dementia and their carers. Drawing on realist research with colleagues, the blog examines how respite and transition care programs work in real-world settings.

In this blog, Dr Piyumi Senanayake and Dr John Oldroyd from Australian Catholic University share insights from their recent systematic review, highlighting significant gaps in parents’ experiences of paediatric palliative care. The findings point to unmet needs across care coordination, emotional and psychosocial support, communication, practical assistance, and support during end-of-life and bereavement.