End of life careEnd of life care
All In The Mind
At a specially designed palliative care unit at a leading Sydney hospital we hear from a patient about his needs and expectations for the final stages of his life—and the staff reflect on what they learn about their own priorities in life by caring for others.
28:51•28 May 2017
End of Life Care: Honest Conversations from a Sydney Palliative Unit
Episode Overview
- End-of-life care can focus on a homely, family-centred environment rather than a purely clinical setting.
- Most patients prioritise time with family and small meaningful moments over grand experiences.
- Pain and symptom management, supported by nurses, volunteers and allied health staff, can often provide substantial relief.
- Psychological support, including dignity therapy, helps patients address anxiety, regrets and meaning at the end of life.
- Staff emphasise the importance of honest conversations about death and making personal wishes known to loved ones.
“Death and dying is equally important. I think the other passion about it all is working with amazing people… really dedicated towards trying to relieve some of the suffering that our patients go through.”
How do people find hope in the darkest times? This instalment of *All In The Mind* heads into a specially designed palliative care unit at Concord Hospital in Sydney, where staff and patients talk candidly about what really matters at the end of life.
Host Lynne Malcolm walks beside patient Gene, a 71‑year‑old living with a severe respiratory illness, as he quietly sums up his position: "I'm pleased that I have no regrets." His simple routines, photo albums and short outings for lunch show how joy can shrink down to small, precious moments, especially when energy and mobility are limited.
Director Gary Agarwal explains why he "always wanted to do palliative care", describing end of life as "as important as birth is and life is" and sharing stories that stay with him – from a grandmother holding a grandchild for the last time to a mother arranging future letters for her children.
Clinical nurse specialist Kate Lockhart talks about the everyday work of easing pain and agitation, and the unexpected lift from the volunteer "jolly trolley" bringing treats and, yes, a little alcohol to those who want it. Social worker Brendan Myhill focuses on what people hope for in their final phase, saying that one of the biggest themes is simply "time with family".
He explains how the team arranges family‑friendly spaces, short home visits and even a wedding so a dying mother could see her son married. Clinical psychologist Diana Horrocks brings a mental health lens to end‑of‑life anxiety, depression and regret, and outlines therapies such as dignity therapy that help people shape a meaningful legacy.
You’ll get a calm, honest look at death that’s aimed at anyone who wants to think more openly about their own end, support loved ones, or understand how mind, body and relationships are cared for in palliative settings. It might even prompt you to ask: if time were short, what would truly matter to you?
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