Capital Health Network

End-of-Life in Primary Care Webinar Series

With the introduction of Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) in the ACT fast approaching in November 2025, it is an important time for clinicians to refresh and update their knowledge of end-of-life care in primary care settings.

This seven-part webinar series brings together leading experts in law, general practice, nursing, and palliative care to explore the clinical, ethical, and legal aspects of end-of-life care in the ACT. The sessions are designed for GPs, practice nurses, allied health professionals, and others working in primary care who support patients with serious illness and their families.

Program Overview

• Session 1: End-of-Life Law for Clinicians in ACT📅 Tuesday 23 September 2025, 6:30–8:00 pmLed by Dr Katrine Del Villar (QUT) and Dr Paresh Dawda (Next Practice Deakin), this session covers consent, substitute decision-making, futile treatment, voluntary assisted dying, and the doctrine of double effect.

• Session 2: End-of-Life Discussions and Advance Care Planning📅 Tuesday 30 September 2025, 6:30–8:00 pmWith Janine Rath (ACP Manager, Canberra Health Service) and Dr Raymond Liu (GP/ANU), focusing on documentation, triggers for conversations, and patient-centred communication strategies.

• Session 3: Primary and Specialist Palliative Care Resources and Services in ACT📅 Tuesday 7 October 2025, 6:30–8:00 pmPractical guidance from Dr Louise Kenyon (HealthPathways Clinical Lead), Dr James Manley (ACT Health), and Dr Michael Chapman (Clinical Director of Palliative Care, Canberra Hospital), with input from Conder Surgery team members.

• Session 4: Symptom Management in Palliative Care – Pain📅 Tuesday 14 October 2025, 6:30–8:00 pmPresented by Dr Mike Yung (palliative care advanced trainee), covering pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain management.

• Session 5: Symptom Management in Palliative Care – Breathlessness📅 Tuesday 21 October 2025, 6:30–8:00 pmMary Roberts (Respiratory CNC, Westmead Hospital) and Dr Sarah McPherson will guide clinicians through strategies for managing breathlessness.

• Session 6: Certification of Death in the Community in ACT📅 Tuesday 28 October 2025, 6:30–8:00 pmDr Amanda Barry (Director, Clinical Forensic Medical Service, CHS) and Prof Lavinia Hallam will discuss practical, legal, and procedural aspects of certifying death in the community.

• Session 7: Voluntary Assisted Dying in ACT📅 Tuesday 4 November 2025, 6:30–8:00 pmKate Reed (Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner, ACT Health) will explain the new VAD legislation and model in the ACT, the intersection with specialist palliative care, and insights from other jurisdictions.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will:

• Gain clarity on the legal frameworks governing end-of-life care in the ACT.
• Develop confidence in holding advance care planning and goals-of-care discussions.
• Learn when and how to access palliative care resources and refer appropriately.
• Strengthen knowledge and skills in managing common palliative symptoms such as pain and breathlessness.
• Understand processes for certifying death in the community.
• Be prepared for the implementation of Voluntary Assisted Dying in the ACT, including clinical, legal, and ethical considerations.

Presenters

Speakers include experts across law, primary care, specialist palliative care, nursing, and health policy such as Dr Katrine Del Villar, Dr Paresh Dawda, Dr Raymond Liu, Dr Louise Kenyon, Dr Michael Chapman, Kate Reed, Dr Amanda Barry, and others.

Register Here

👉 This series is a must for primary care professionals in the ACT wanting to stay up to date with end-of-life care practices, palliative care resources, and the legal landscape surrounding VAD.