As professionals and volunteers in health and care systems, we are the ones our community’s turn to for leadership and guidance – but these same communities also come with their own energy and skill.

Join Prof Hsien Seow and a panel of other experts as we explore how greater collaboration between health systems and local communities can address the care needs of the future.

Be part of this crucial and timely conversation and leave empowered to make a meaningful impact on palliative care and end-of-life support in your professional practice and local community.

Our approach to care needs to change to meet the needs of our increasingly ageing population, be part of that change. Join this conversation to better connect health systems and community.

Meet the experts:

Prof Hsien Seow

Professor Hsien Seow travels the world advocating for stronger, more human connections between health systems and the people and families they are called to serve.

Having earnt his doctorate from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and his Bachelor of Science from Yale University, Hsien is currently the Research Chair in Palliative Care and Health System Innovation at McMaster University, Canada.

Driven by a passion that is connected to his mum’s end of life experience with breast cancer, Hsien is focused on innovation within health systems and improving quality of care.

After his ‘rock star’ like reception at the 2023 Oceanic Palliative Care Conference last September in Sydney, he is back to build on the momentum he creates wherever he goes, and to reconnect with fans of his hit podcast series ‘The Waiting Room Revolution’ and best-selling book, ‘Hope for the best plan for the rest’, co-authored with Dr Sammy Winemaker.

Heike Fabig and Richard Boele, parents and advocates

The difference palliative care in the home makes – a parents’ personal perspective
A rare user perspective of palliative care services provided by Kai and Bodhi’s parents who supported their sons in dying at home, six years apart. In the case of 17-year old Kai, his parents provided him with the home death he wanted despite receiving almost no palliative care support. Their palliative care experience with 18-year old Bodhi couldn’t have been more different. These courageous and generous parents share their personal insights and reflect on how differing palliative care approaches (hospital outpatient, community palliative care team and hospice care (AYAH)) impacted on them and their children.

Panellists

Joanna McIlveen, SESLHD

Jo is a social worker and is passionate about the role of social work in end-of-life care – she is currently undertaking a PhD exploring acute hospital and community partnerships in caring towards end-of-life. Jo is the Grief and Bereavement Coordinator at South Eastern Sydney Local Health District.

Anne Kubiak, Full Circle – End of Life Matters

Full Circle – End of Life Matters was founded by Anne Kubiak, a Registered Nurse, End of Life Doula, and Health Policy Innovator, who envisions a more compassionate and choice-driven approach to end-of-life care. Her mission is to provide a holistic, anxiety-free experience where individuals can die with dignity. Full Circle’s model, led by doulas and supported by physicians, addresses the physical, emotional, spiritual, and practical needs of each person. Anne is dedicated to transforming the experience of death from one of fear to one of acceptance, compassion, and honour.

Dr Clay Spencer, Full Circle – End of Life Matters

Dr Clay Spencer, a senior medical doctor and valued member of the Full Circle team, has a background in psychiatry, medicinal cannabis, and herbal medicine and is currently training as a Psychedelic-Assisted Therapist. He is dedicated to using natural methods to manage pain and anxiety at the end of life and aims to bring doctors back into the community through meaningful therapeutic relationships.

Holly Smith, La Trobe University

Holly Smith is HELP Partnership Coordinator with the Healthy End of Life Program at La Trobe University. Holly specialises in community development and social change work and has a special interest in intergenerational best-practice.

Event agenda

2.00pm	Welcome, acknowledgement of country, set the scene	MC – Kirsty Blades
2.10 pm	Keynote presentation – Improving the patient and family illness experience	Professor Hsien Seow
2.40 pm	In conversation with Hsien Seow – Q&A	Hsien Seow and MC – Kirsty Blades
2.50 pm	Presentation – Two different experiences of palliative care and dying at home	Heike Fabig and Richard Boele
3.10 – 3.30	In conversation with Heike and Richard	Hsien Seow, Heike Fabig and Richard Boele
3.30 pm	Afternoon tea
3.55 pm	Panel discussion – Supporting caring for people in their homes Each presenter will spend five minutes on their topic before joining a panel discussion on supporting caring for people in their homes	Joanna McIlveen, SES LHD Anne Kubiak and Clayton Spencer, Full Circle HELP App Holly Smith, La Trobe University
4.55 pm	Closing summary	Camilla Rowland
5.15 pm	Networking drinks
6.00 pm	Event close

Contact the host of Symposium: "The Future of Caring - Connecting Health Systems and Communities"