Topic: Advance care planning

South Western Sydney PHN (SWSPHN) Integration and Priority Populations Coordinator Kate Noble was selected to join The Dementia 100 panel, a NSW Dementia Expert Advisory Group. 

The Dementia 100 panel was created to gather various perspectives on the National Dementia Action Plan 2024-2034 and its implementation in NSW. 

The panel consisted of 100 individuals from diverse backgrounds, including people with lived experience, carers, healthcare professionals, researchers and experts from various disciplines. 

Kate said the panel was created due to the overwhelming interest from a diverse range of people with lived experience and professional expertise across NSW. 

“It was great because it brought together a diverse mix of voices, from a broad range of professions and those with lived experiences,” she said. 

“It was valuable to hear perspectives from different sectors and to bring forward ideas on how to make dementia care more responsive and accessible.”

The National Action Dementia Plan 2024-2034 is the Australian Government’s response to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Global Action Plan on Dementia, which aims to address the growing challenge of dementia.

According to Dementia Australia, dementia is the leading cause of death for Australian women and the second leading cause of death for all Australians. 

In NSW, it is estimated the number of people living with all forms of dementia will increase from 138,200 to 252,800 by 2054.

The Action Plan includes eight high-level actions aimed at enhancing dementia awareness, decreasing the population’s risk of developing dementia, and improving coordination of services for people living with dementia. 

These actions aim to: 

1. promote equity and human rights 
2. tackle stigma, improve awareness and promote inclusivity 
3. empower individuals and communities to minimise risk where they can, and delay onset and progression 
4. improve dementia diagnosis and post-diagnostic care and support 
5. improve treatment, coordination and support for people living with dementia 
6. support carers of people living with dementia 
7. build capability of the workforce to care for and support people living with dementia 
8. improve dementia data, maximise the impact of dementia research and promote innovation 

“This plan is Australia’s version of the global action plan, and it was essential to have a national response to ensure we are improving dementia care in line with global best practices,” Kate said. 

A key highlight of Kate’s involvement was the inclusion of the Greater Choice for At Home Palliative Care Measure in the National Dementia Action Plan, something she had been advocating for. 

“One of the things I was most excited about was the mention of the Greater Choice for At Home Palliative Care Measure, in the plan,” she said. 

“The Greater Choice for At Home Palliative Care Measure aims to improve palliative care coordination across the health and aged care systems and create links between local hospitals, GPs, palliative care services and aged care providers to improve access to quality palliative care for older people living at home. 

“It was great to see the importance of palliative care in dementia care being recognised nationally.” 

Kate emphasised people living with dementia need to undertake Advance Care Planning discussions early in the disease progression 

“It’s important to have these conversations early, to allow people living with dementia to have control over their choices,” she said.  

“This is why including Advance Care Planning in the dementia action plan is so important. It’s about offering people choices—whether they want resuscitation, feeding tubes or other treatments as they approach the end of life.” 

Kate’s expertise in dementia care, including her clinical experience and ongoing master’s studies, significantly contributed to her selection for the panel. 

“I’ve been involved in dementia care for a long time,” she said.  

“I’ve worked clinically in dementia for five years, and I’m doing my master’s in dementia. Which, I think, really helped me stand out and made me an ideal fit for the group.”  

With her continued work at SWSPHN, Kate remains committed to ensuring dementia care is integrated into primary health services and includes all populations, especially those in underserved communities.  

“I’m proud to have contributed to the National Dementia Action Plan 2024-2034 and seen our local perspectives reflected in the final recommendations,” she said.  

“It’s exciting to see the issues I’m passionate about, like palliative care and the integration of dementia services into primary health networks, taken seriously at the national level.” 

Visit the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website to read the National Dementia Action Plan 2024-2034.