EPC hosts Biennial Ethics Forum on palliative care and disability

On Tuesday 27 October, Eastern Palliative Care hosted its Biennial Ethics Forum, exploring the topic Palliative Care in Disability: Capacity and Supported Decision-Making.

The forum aimed to deepen understanding of the challenges that can arise at the intersection of disability and palliative care. This included examining how different residential and service settings can create additional barriers for patients, families and care providers.

The discussion explored practical responses at both a system and point-of-care level that support:

• Equity of access
• Respect for individual autonomy and rights
• Clinically appropriate and proportionate care

The two-hour forum was facilitated by Advance Care Planning Australia National Manager, Adjunct Associate Professor Dr Catherine Joyce.

The expert panel included:

• Dr Chien-Chi Lin, Eastern Palliative Care
• Dan Stubbs, Victorian Public Advocate
• John McKenna, consumer advocate and lived experience representative
• Nadia Garcia, Acting Director, Home and Specialist Services and Disability Health

EPC Chair Margaret Stewart welcomed attendees and delivered the opening address before formally closing the event at its conclusion.

The discussion was filled with valuable insights, shared humanity and practical wisdom. Attendees continued their conversations long after the formal panel had concluded, highlighting the importance of creating opportunities to explore these complex issues collaboratively.

EPC thanks our facilitator, panellists and everyone who attended and contributed to this important conversation.