07 July 2014
A special lecture investigating the issues surrounding death and dying will be held at the University of South Australia tomorrow (Tuesday) night.
Jointly presented by the UniSA’s Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre and the Palliative Care Council of SA, the lecture titled ‘Futility: ICU and the voice of reason’, will be delivered by Sydney-based intensive care specialist Associate Professor Charlie Corke.
Hawke Centre Executive Director Jacinta Thompson says Assoc Prof Corke’s recent research conducted at the University of Technology Sydney may cause us to radically rethink treatment at the end of our lives.
She says the lecture will investigate issues around chronic illness, disabilities and the advances presented by medical science.
A passionate advocate of advanced care directives, Assoc Prof Corke has been an intensive care medical specialist for more than 25 years, and has had a long interest in end-of-life decision making.
Palliative Care Council SA Chief Executive Officer Tracey Watters says the session will provide informed discussion around when it is time to say enough medical care and accept the human body is fallible.
“In our advanced society, swift catastrophic final illness is the exception. For many people, death can come after a long medical struggle with an incurable but chronic illness or results from the multiple debilities of very old age,” Watters says.
“Death is certain, but the timing isn't. Everyone struggles with this uncertainty – with how, and when, to accept that the time has come. This session will explore questions such as: how we can gracefully prepare and accept when it is time to die, to let go.”
WHO: Associate Professor Charlie Corke
WHAT: Public lecture titled ‘Futility: ICU and the voice of reason’
WHEN: Tuesday July 8, 6pm
WHERE: Allan Scott Auditorium, Hawke Building, UniSA City West Campus
For more information about this event, and to register, click here.
Media contact: Kelly Stone office 8302 0963 mobile 0417 861 832 email Kelly.stone@unisa.edu.au
