National Palliative Care Week 2026 Special Guest Lecture | Rethinking Dementia and End-of-Life Care

The lecture will be delivered at Parliament House by a national leader in palliative care, Dr Michael Chapman, Director of Palliative Care at Canberra Hospital and Lead of the Palliative Care Research Unit at Clare Holland House.

In line with this year’s theme, Getting to the heart of it: Big Questions. Real Answers, Michael will discuss what dementia means for our communities, and how that influences the impact dementia has on us all. He will also discuss new ways to rethink dementia which have implications for palliative care support for people with the condition. The lecture will further consider how better conversations, practical support and person-centred care can improve quality of life, dignity and connection.