- 'The quality of death: Ranking end of life care across the world' - white paper out now - 19-Jul-2010
The Economist Intelligence Unit (part of the Economist magazine) has, with Singapore's Lein Foundation, published a white paper on 'The quality of death: Ranking end of life care across the world' (39 pages, 3.33 Mb). In many respects Australia ranks very well.
- 'Health system reform and care at the end of life: A guidance document' - 19-Jul-2010
The National End of Life Framework Forum has completed 'Health system reform and care at the end of life: A guidance document' (96 pages, 675 Kb), which is now available on the website of Palliative Care Australia. The document includes 61 specific guidance elements, which are logically arranged using the proposed National Quality and Safety Framework developed by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care in 2009. The guidance document is essential reading for all who have an interest in health reform and in palliative and end of life care.
- Palliative care jobs at Bethesda Hospital, Perth - 15-Jul-2010
Bethesda Hospital in Claremont, Perth, has the following positions available:
- Medical Consultant (part time)
- Clinical Nurse Consultant (full time).
Bethesda is working with the WA Palliative Care Network to pilot an ambulatory palliative care service for the North Metropolitan Area Health Region. The new service will consult to residential aged care facilities, mental health facilities, correctional facilities and hospitals that do not have an existing palliative care service.
Call Joan Sheppard, Executive Manager of Clinical Services at Bethesda Hospital on 08 9340 6361 for more information, or visit www.bethesda.asn.au to apply for either of these positions.
- Mini-Conference: Death: A whole of life experience - 17 Aug 10 in Perth - 8-Jul-2010
Council on the Ageing (COTA) is organising a mini-conference entitled 'Death: A whole of life experience' for 17 August 2010, 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM. The venue is the State Library Theatre, Alexander Library, Perth. Costs: $15 for COTA members, $25 for non-members, morning tea provided, BYO lunch. Registrations are essential - call COTA on 08 9321 2133 or email admin@cotawa.asn.au for more information.
- National Health Reform - Some Analysis - 5-Jul-2010
The media has been abuzz for months about 'national health reform'. The actual process is captured in a document called 'The National Health and Hospitals Network Agreement' (57 pages, 406 Kb) which was signed by the Commonwealth, states and territory governments on 20 April 2010. On page 26 you can read that a recommendation will be made by December 2010 about whether palliative care services should remain within state/territory control or be transferred to Commonwealth control. We found a very clear, succinct and simple piece of analysis (6 pages, 110 Kb) on the website of the NSW Council of Social Service (NCOSS) - it includes some state-specific information but even so this will make sense to Western Australians. In an interview with Peter Meares on ABC Radio National's 'National Interest' program broadcast 02 July 2010, WA Premier Colin Barnett said that the state government basically agreed with the underlying health reforms, but not with the attached financial arrangements. The Commonwealth Government has information here about the offer which has been made to WA.
- Prof J Hughes: 'Ethical issues and decision-making in dementia care' - 22 Jun 10 - 2-Jul-2010
Prof Julian Hughes from Newcastle University (UK) gave a speech at the National Press Club in Canberra on 22 June 2010 about 'Ethical issues and decision-making in dementia care'. The speech addresses many of the practical issues people confront when making decisions with and for people with dementia, and suggests some ethical principles which can guide decision-making. The website of Alzheimers WA is an excellent resource for consumers and health professionals alike.
- Cancer Council WA Free Public Lectures - 2-Jul-2010
The Cancer Council WA organises free public lectures which are held at the Alexander Library Building in Northbridge most Mondays from 12:30 to 1:30 PM:
- 26 July 2010 - Asbestos - residential exposure, a potential timebomb - Prof Peter Howat
- 02 August 2010 - Towards improving outcomes for adolescents & young adults with cancer - Dr Marianne Phillips
- 09 August 2010 - Who owns your genes? - Dr Graeme Suthers
- 16 August 2010 - Hope, empowerment and transformation: improving outcomes for people with cancer - Assoc Prof Penny Schofield
- 23 August 2010 - Emotional needs, intimacy and cancer - Dr Kendra Sundquist.
A reminder also that 27 August 2010 is Daffodil Day.
- Annual Commemoration Day Service web page now live - 2-Jul-2010
Palliative Care WA Inc will host the Annual Commemoration Day Service from 7:00 PM on Thursday 14 October 2010 at Winthrop Hall at the University of WA in Crawley, Perth. There is more information about the Service available on our website at www.palliativecarewa.asn.au/annual-commemoration-day.php, or contact our office on 1300 551 704 or pcwainc@palliativecarewa.asn.au.
- Resources Guide at Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement - 2-Jul-2010
The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement (www.grief.org.au) is located in Melbourne. In addition to a comprehensive nationwide education program, the Centre publishes a very comprehensive 'Resource Guide' (24 pages, 3.5 Mb) which details the materials they have available in the following areas:
- children and adolescents
- adults
- professionals and students
- general information.
There are over 50 items shown in the Guide.
- New WA Medication Management Guidelines for Nurses and Midwives (June 2010) - 1-Jul-2010
The Nurses and Midwives Board of Western Australia released new Medication Management Guidelines for Nurses and Midwives in June 2010.
Of particular interest to Palliative Care WA Inc is Section 11 (page 6 of 16) which highlights the difference between 'stock supply' medications and 'dispensed' medications, and which explains that even S8 and S4 medications, providing they have been properly dispensed and certain other provisos are met, 'can be managed by... unregulated care providers.' This is important guidance for low care residential aged care providers who, following old guidance, have sometimes been reluctant to permit S8 medications if their facilities do not have a Poisons Permit and/or regular access to a Registered Nurse.
- Workshop: Cultural Diversity in Aged Care - 09 Aug 10 in Perth - 1-Jul-2010
The Independent Living Centre Multicultural Aged Care Service is organising a Workshop on Cultural Diversity in Aged Care for Monday 09 August 2010 at The Niche, 11 Aberdare Road, Nedlands. The cost is $115. The workshop is designed for senior aged care service managers. For further details and to book your place, email ilcmacs@ilc.com.au or phone (08) 9381 0660.
- Recent radio stories of interest - 28-Jun-2010
Radio National (part of the ABC) has recently aired two programs of interest to those who follow issues of end of life care and palliative care:
- Encounter - 27 June 2010 on Organ Donation
- Life Matters - 11 June 2010 on Medical Decision Making.
Follow the 'Past Programs' link for both programs to see more on death, dying, bereavement, palliative and end of life care.
- National Solace Grief Conference - 8-9 Oct 10 in Sydney - 28-Jun-2010
Solace is an organisation which provides support and activities for people grieving the death of their spouse/partner. Solace will hold their 12th National Grief Conference in Sydney on 8 and 9 October 2010. The prices are extremely reasonable. For more information visit www.solace.org.au or email solacensw@gmail.com.
- UK Guidance for doctors re treatment and care towards the EOL - 28-Jun-2010
The UK's General Medical Council regulates doctors and ensures good practice. In May 2010 the GMC published Treatment and care towards the end of life: Good practice in decision making (91 pages, 4Mb). The booklet contains a very clear explanation of the principles and ethical issues, as well as providing practical advice and clear examples. This information is certainly helpful for all health professionals and consumers may find it useful also.
- Royal Perth Hospital Palliative Care Study Day - 13 Aug 10 - 28-Jun-2010
Royal Perth Hospital and the Professional Development Centre at Cancer Council WA will hold the RPH Palliative Care Study Day on Friday 13 August 2010 at Royal Perth Hospital. Nurses can get Continuing Professional Education points. You can view the program for the day here. For booking enquiries, please call The Education Centre at Royal Perth Hospital on 08 9224 2498, or complete this form.
- Cancer and Palliative Care Volunteer Training - 29-30 Jul 10 in Perth - 28-Jun-2010
The Professional Development Centre will run its excellent two-day training package for cancer and palliative care volunteers on 29 and 30 July 2010. The venue is Wollaston College in Mt Claremont, Perth. There is no charge but places are limited, so register as soon as you can. Call PDC on 08 9382 9300 or email pdadministration@cancerwa.asn.au.
- Residential Aged Care Palliative Approach Network: newsletter # 17 online - 28-Jun-2010
The 17th newsletter of the Residential Aged Care Palliative Approach Network (RACPAN) for July 2010 is now available online at the Palliative Care Australia website. This edition features a lot of information about volunteers in aged care.
- 2 Day Workshops: 'The Intimacy of Death and Dying' with Zenith Farago - July in Perth & Albany - 16-Jun-2010
Zenith Farago of Byron Bay will present two two-day workshops on 'The Intimacy of Death and Dying' in July 2010:
- 17-18 July 2010 at the Earthwise Community Centre in Subiaco
- 24-25 July 2010 in Albany (venue TBC).
The cost is $500 (concessions are available). To register, contact Anne-Marie Hoyne 0408 744 572 or connection@coessence.com.au, or to find out more about the content of the workshop, contact Zenith Farago on zenithvarago@gmail.com or visit www.naturaldeathcentre.org.au.
- New Needs Assessment Tool for people with progressive disease - 16-Jun-2010
The team from the Centre for Health Research and Psycho-oncolgy (CHeRP) at the University of Newscastle in NSW were in Perth in early 2010 to promote the Needs Assessment Tool: Progressive Disease - Cancer. The Centre has now released a new tool to support the ongoing assessment and management of the unmet needs of people with any progressive chronic diseases (including cancer, heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and their carers: Needs Assessment Tool: Progressive Disease. Email CHeRP@newcastle.edu.au or call 02 4913 8604 for more information.
- Workshop: Using Essential Oils for Self Care - 07 Aug 10 in Perth - 16-Jun-2010
Carol Gibney will present a workshop on using essential oils for self care from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM on Saturday 7 August 2010 at the Australian Academy of Wellness Therapies in South Perth. The workshop is being organised by the Professional Development Centre at Cancer Council WA. The cost is $50. Register quickly because places are limited - call the Professional Development Centre on 08 9982 9300 or email pdadmininistration@cancerwa.asn.au.
- Workshop: Basic Pharmacology in Palliative Care - 06 Aug 10 in Perth - 16-Jun-2010
The Centre for Professional Development is organising a brief workshop on basic pharmacology in palliative care, which will be presented by Penny Tuffin, the palliative care pharmacist at Royal Perth Hospital. The workshop will be held at Curtin University of Technology campus in Shenton Park from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM on Friday 06 August 2010. The cost is $35. Please contact the Centre on 08 9382 9300 or pdadministration@cancerwa.asn.au.
- WA Palliative Care Network Resources are now available online - 16-Jun-2010
A range of helpful resources developed by the WA Palliative Care Network at the Department of Health are now available online:
- Evidence based guidelines for adults in the terminal phase (flipbook)
- Symptom management protocol flowcharts
- Essential palliative care medication lists for community pharmacists and General Practitioners
- Essential medications list for palliative care services
- Opioid conversion chart
- Palliative care medicine and symptom guide for consumers.
Visit the Palliative Care Network's homepage at www.healthnetworks.health.wa.gov.au/cancer/palliative/index.cfm and click on 'Palliative Care Resources' to view these documents.
- Next Blue Skies Program - 12-13 Jul 10 in Perth - 4-Jun-2010
Blue Skies is a bereavement program for 8-12 year olds who are grieving the deatth of a parent or primary caregiver. The next workshop will be run on Monday 12 July and Tuesday 13 July 2010 at the Scarboro Surf Lifesaving Club. There is no charge. To register, please contact Belinda Hughes on 08 9242 0289 during business hours.
- PCWA's Annual Commemoration Day - 14 Oct 10 - 4-Jun-2010
Palliative Care WA Inc is organising the Annual Commemoration Day Event for 14 October 2010. Please visit the Events page on this website to see more details and download an information sheet.
- Seminars: Volunteer Recruitment, Retention, Recognition - 29 Jul 10 in Perth - 4-Jun-2010
Dr Judy Esmond will give two seminars on 29 July 2010 at the Inglewood Civic Centre. The morning session is on volunteer recruitment and retention, the afternoon course is about volunteer management and recognition. All the details are available at www.judyesmond.com.
- Men in the Kitchen starts 18 Jun 10 at SolarisCare Charlies - 3-Jun-2010
SolarisCare, located at E Block at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Nedlands, is holding a six-week 'Men in the Kitchen' program for men aged under 50 who have lost their partner to cancer in the past year, staring 18 June 2010. You can learn more, and register, at the SolarisCare website, or call 08 9346 7630 for more information.
- Job Opportunity: St John of God Bunbury Palliative Care Service - 2-Jun-2010
St John of God Bunbury has a vacancy for a senior nursing leader in their palliative care service. The role includes:
- coordination of clinical services
- consultation advice to wards within the hospital
- education, training, research and other quality initiatives.
Contact Karen Gullick, Director of Nursing at St John of God Bunbury, on 08 9722 1605 or karen.gullick@sjog.org.au for more information.
- June 2010 edition of PCA E-Bulletin now available - 2-Jun-2010
The June 2010 edition of the Palliative Care Australia E-Bulletin is now available online here. Stories in this issue include:
- update on National Palliative Care Week (23-29 May 2010)
- analysis of the federal budget and the Rudd Government's health reform process
- a summary of recent news and announcements.
Sign up to PCA Connect and Palliative Care Australia will send your own copy of the E-Bulletin to you by email.
- Thank you for joining in 'At the Coalface' - 2-Jun-2010
On behalf of all at Palliative Care WA Inc, a big thank-you to all who participated in the 2010 WA Palliative Care Conference on Friday 28 May 2010. Special thanks to our partners and supporters, WA Cancer and Palliative Care Network, Silver Chain, St John of God Health Care, the Professional Development Centre, REM Systems, the WA Centre for Cancer & Palliative Care at Curtin University of Technology, Janssen-Cilag and Orphan Australia. All presenters have agreed that their abstracts and (where available) PowerPoint presentations can be provided to CareSearch Knowledge Network - these should be available in the coming weeks.
- 'Dying to Live' - new documentary by Perth film-maker - 26-May-2010
Trish Duke, Perth physiotherapist, broadcaster and film-maker, has released 'Dying to Live', a documentary about living and dying well structured into several episodes. The entire set is available from the My Three Dogs Productions website: www.dyingtolivetv.com. We congratulate Trish and her collaborators, especially the people who gave so much of themselves in telling their stories in the documentary, for a top job.
- National Palliative Care Week WA Website - 26-May-2010
National Palliative Care Week runs from 23 to 29 May 2010. The National Palliative Care Week WA web page is now live: www.palliativecarewa.asn.au/pall-care-week-2010.php. This page includes information about the theme of the week, events in WA and links to resources.
- Information about living wills, Advance Health Directives, Enduring Powers of Attorney etc - 26-May-2010
Palliative Care WA Inc has just finalised our web page about living wills, Advance Health Directives, Enduring Powers of Attorney, consent to medical treatment, and healthcare decision making at www.palliativecarewa.asn.au/consent.php. You can also access the page by following the 'Living Wills in WA' item on the menu which appears on each page at our website.
- 'At the Coalface' WA Palliative Care Conference Program - 21-May-2010
The Program for 'At the Coalface', the WA Palliative Care Conference, to be held at Wollaston College, Mt Claremont, on Friday 28 May 2010, is now available here. The Registration Rorm is available here. Registrations have been extended until 4:00 PM on Wednesday 26 May 2010. Call the Palliative Care WA Inc office on 1300 551 704 or email us on pcwainc@palliativecarewa.asn.au for more information or to book your place.
- National Palliative Care Week Resources Available Online - 6-May-2010
National Palliative Care Week runs from 23 to 29 May 2010. Palliative Care Australia, with assistance from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, has released a range of resources for the week including posters, postcards and brochures. All the materials are available for download at the Palliative Care Australia website, and you can also access an order form if you need bulk quantities. In general delivery times for bulk orders (which come for free from Canberra) are excellent, but it's important to place your orders early so that everything arrives in time for National Palliative Care Week.
- May 2010 Edition of 'PCA e-Bulletin' - 6-May-2010
Follow this link to view the May 2010 edition of Palliative Care Australia's e-Bulletin. Visit www.palliativecare.org.au and sign up with 'PCA Connect' if you would like a copy of the e-Bulletin delivered directly to your email inbox.
- Local Palliative Care Grants Program (Round 5) Announced - 6-May-2010
The Commonwealth Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, announced the successful applicants for funding under the Local Palliative Care Grants Program (Round 5) on 29 April 2010. Her media release is available here. Palliative Care WA Inc congratulates the two successful bidders from Western Australia: Alzheimers Australia and the Central Institute of Technology.
- Professional Development Centre Courses - 30-Apr-2010
The Professional Development Centre at the Cancer Council WA has a lot of courses planned for the next few weeks and months:
- Aged Care Workshop - 06 May 2010 in Wembley
- Advanced Pharmacology in Palliative Care - 07 May 2010 in Shenton Park
- Massage Therapy in Palliative Care - 15 May 2010 in South Perth
- Facilitating Small Groups, Presentation Skills for Palliative Care Practitioners - 26 May 2010 in Shenton Park
- Aged Care Workshop - 15 June 2010 in Alfred Cove
- Aboriginal Cultural Safety in Palliative Care - 17-18 June 2010 in Alfred Cove
- Palliative Care for Patient Care Assistants and Care Aides - 22-24 June 2010 in Alfred Cove
- Cancer and Palliative Care Volunteer Training - 29-30 July 2010 in Mt Claremont.
More events will be announced in the near future. For a complete calendar visit the PDC website. To book your place in a course, call 08 9382 9300 or email pdadministration@cancerwa.asn.au. Note that the Centre charges a small fee for some courses.
- Videos about palliative care for non-English speakers now on CareSearch - 30-Apr-2010
CareSearch Knowledge Network recently announced new video presentations about palliative care are available in the following languages:
- Greek
- Italian
- Cantonese.
Learn more on the 'What's New' page at www.caresearch.com.au.
- Provisional Program for 'At the Coalface' - 30-Apr-2010
The Organising Committee for the WA Palliative Care Conference, 'At the Coalface', which is presented in partnership with the WA Palliative Care Network, has released a Provisional Program for the event, which will be held in Mt Claremont on 28 May 2010.
- Community Support Initiatives from Cancer Council WA - 1-Apr-2010
The Cancer Council WA is promoting two important initiatives designed to provide support to people with cancer, their partners, family and friends. The first is Cancer Connections (community, information, support), a new website located at www.cancerconnections.com.au. The second is Cancer Council Connect, a one-to-one peer support program that puts you in touch by phone with a specially trained volunteer who has had similar cancer and treatment to you. Find out more about Cancer Council Connect by calling the Helpline on 13 11 20.
- New Canteen Publication 'Now What?' - 1-Apr-2010
Canteen has recently released 'Now what? Living with the death of your parent or brother or sister from cancer', a free booklet which addresses the issues of bereavement and grief, providing information, support and advice across a range of areas that can impact on a young person whose family member has died of cancer. To order a copy, phone 1800 669 942 or visit www.nowwhat.org.au.
- New Palliative Care Australia Chief Executive Officer - 1-Apr-2010
The President of Palliative Care Australia, Prof Margaret O'Connor, announced a few days ago that a new Chief Executive Officer had been appointed to succeed Donna Daniell, who finished in that position on 31 March 2010. The new CEO is Dr Yvonne Luxford, who since 2007 has been the manager of policy and advocacy at the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in Sydney. Dr Luxford will move to Canberra to take up the role on 03 May 2010. All at Palliative Care WA Inc welcome Dr Luxford to the network.
- National Conference on Huntington's Disease - Brisbane 8-9 Sep 10 - 1-Apr-2010
'Making the Connection' is the theme of the National Conference on Huntington's Disease, to be held in Brisbane 9-10 September 2010. The Conference will be an opportunity to meet and share knowledge and experiences with family members, researchers, health professionals and the members and supporters of Huntington's Disease assocations across Australia. Registration forms and program information are available at www.huntingtonsaustralia.asn.au or contact Huntington's Queensland on 07 3391 8833.
- New Palliative Care Unit at Kalgoorlie Hospital - 5-Mar-2010
Construction has started on a new palliative care unit at Kalgoorlie Hospital. Read the media release from the Minister for Mental Health, Graham Jacobs MLA, here.
- Latest PCA E-Bulletin Available - 3-Mar-2010
The latest edition of Palliative Care Australia's excellent E-Bulletin has been released. Items include:
- information on the update of the National Palliative Care Strategy by Communio (see other items on this page for details)
- a detailed policy report
- latest news from the National Standards Assessment Program
- sector news
- links to information and resources.
View the E-Bulletin at the PCA website, or sign up to PCA Connect to receive a copy in your inbox.
- Centre for Ageing & Pastoral Studies Conference - 28 Sep to 1 Oct 10 - 25-Feb-2010
The Centre for Ageing and Pastoral Studies holds its 5th National Conference in Canberra from 28 September to 1 October 2010. Speakers include Keith Meador from the USA and Peter Coleman from the UK. Abstracts are due 15 March 2010 and earlybird registration closes 9 July 2010. There is more information online, or by calling Kevin Teo on 02 6272 6205.
- PCWA Media Release on Advance Care Planning Laws - 15 Feb 10 - 18-Feb-2010
Palliative Care WA Inc put out a media release about the changes to the WA Guardianship and Administration Act 1990 which came into effect 15 February 2010. Changes permit, amongst other things, Western Australians to complete their own Advance Health Directives and Enduring Powers of Guardianship. Read the media release here.
- CNSA Winter Congress in Perth - 29-31 Jul 10 - 17-Feb-2010
The Cancer Nurses Society of Australia will hold their 13th Annual Winter Congress in Perth from Thursday 29 to Saturday 31 July 2010. The venue is the Hyatt Hotel in Perth. Abstracts are due 26 February 2010 and earlybird registration closes 14 April 2010. The Congress theme is 'Leadership, Diversity and Innovation: The Global Picture'. There will be a strong palliative care presence, as usual. More information is available at www.cnsa2010.com or on 02 9265 0700.
- WA Advance Care Planning Laws Operate from 15 Feb 10 - 12-Feb-2010
Advance care planning laws will operate in Western Australia from Monday 15 February 2010. The laws will permit people with legal capacity to complete:
- an Advance Health Directive form which records medical treatment decisions that apply if the person is unable to make decisions for themselves in the future
- an Enduring Power of Guardianship form, which records the appointment of another person who is empowered to make medical treatment decisions if the appointer is unable to make decisions for themselves in the future.
The laws are part of the amended WA Guardianship and Administration Act 1990 - the amendments will be included and operational from 15 February 2010.
We expect more information will be available throughout the state in coming weeks, but in the meantime, consider:
- the WA Department of Health - www.health.wa.gov.au/advancehealthdirective/home/ - this website includes a link to the Advance Health Directive form, and a useful Q&A section
- the WA Office of the Public Advocate - www.publicadvocate.wa.gov.au/E/enduring_power_of_guardianship.aspx - this website will include a link to the Enduring Power of Guardianship form
- Palliative Care WA Inc on 1300 551 704 or pcwainc@palliativecarewa.asn.au.
Palliative Care WA Inc welcomes the new laws, for which we have campaigned for many years, along with other community organisations.
- Update of the National Palliative Care Strategy - Important Consultations - 11-Feb-2010
Consulting group Communio has been contracted to help update the current National Palliative Care Strategy, which was formally adopted way back in the year 2000. So far, Communio has completed a Phase 1 Report, which is available online. The Communio website also includes a link to an online survey. The survey is very comprehensive and you will need at least 20 minutes to answer all the questions - maybe longer. Also, Communio will hold stakeholder consultation workshops around the country - they come to Perth on 18 March 2010 - you need to register on the website to receive all the information. Palliative Care WA Inc warmly encourages all interested Western Australians to take up these consultation opportunities - the National Strategy is and will be a very important document in the ongoing development of palliative and end of life care in this state and across the country.
- Centre for Grief & Bereavement: education in Perth during 2010 - 11-Feb-2010
The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement is located at Monash Medical Centre in Melbourne. They plan to hold the following education sessions in Perth:
- Strategies for Supporting Children and Adolescents Experiencing Grief and Loss - Thursday 25 March 2010
- Strategies for Supporting Bereaved and Grieving Adults - Friday 26 March 2010
- The Private World of Bereaved Children and Adolescents (Dr Leslie Balmer) - Thursday 12 August 2010
- Individual and Family Responses to Loss: Clinical Approaches to Traumatic Grief (Dr Stephen Fleming) - Friday 13 August 2010.
Please download the Centres' complete 2010 Planner (which includes a registration form) from their website, www.grief.org.au, or telephone 03 9265 2100 for more information.
- ABC1 'Four Corners' on palliative care 08 Feb 10 - 8-Feb-2010
'Four Corners', the long-running current affairs program on television's ABC1, will screen a program about palliative and end of life care tonight, Monday 08 February 2010, starting at 8:30PM. The ABC News website carries a story about the issue here; the article is followed by 40 reader comments. You can visit the 'Four Corners' website as well, the program's guestbook should also attract a lot of comments. Palliative Care Australia has issued a media release about the program.
- February 2010 E-Bulletin from Palliative Care Australia - 8-Feb-2010
Palliative Care Australia's February 2010 E-Bulletin is available online. Items include:
- Key issues for palliative care in 2010
- A message from Prof Margaret O'Connor AM, PCA President
- Policy report
- Sectory news
- Resources and information summaries.
Sign up to 'PCA Connect' to receive your own copy of the E-Bulletin each month.
- Carers WA – Carer Participation and Representation - 8-Feb-2010
The Carer Participation and Representation Program assists carers to participate in committees and advisory groups involved in the health system and/or mental health system. This is an exciting opportunity for you to have your voice heard and to influence change by meeting with clinicians and decision makers. If you have been, or are currently in, a caring role and would like to take part in this process on behalf of all carers then follow the link to find out more: http://www.carersaustralia.com.au/?/wa/article/view/108/4
- WA Palliative Care Network Website - 8-Feb-2010
The website of the WA Palliative Care Network, which is convened by the Department of Health, is always worth a visit. Follow links to a range of initiatives including:
- models of care
- reports
- project updates.
The Network is a very busy and active group and Palliative Care WA Inc values our close relationship with the team there.
- 'Can Meet Needs' Resources Available - 2-Feb-2010
The 'Needs Assessment Tool - Progressive Disease - Cancer' has been developed by a consortium of Australian Universities. It is designed for all health professionals and helps them to understand patient, carer and family needs and prompts for appropriate referrals. The project group has just released an excellent online training resource, which you can access at http://www.newcastle.edu.au/research-centre/cherp/can-meet-needs-resource/. The website includes downloads of the NAT-PDC tool, needs assessment guidelines, case studies, communications tips and learning activities.
- Latest 'Palliative Care Matters' Newsletter Online - 2-Feb-2010
The latest edition of the newsletter of Palliative Care WA Inc, 'Palliative Care Matters' is now online here. We also have additional hardcopies of the newsletter available at the office - please call 1300 551 704 or email pcwainc@palliativecarewa.asn.au if you need extras.
- 'Four Corners' on ABC TV - 08 Feb 10 - 2-Feb-2010
ABC TV's long-running '4 Corners' current affairs program will feature palliative care on the first show of the year, screened on Monday 8 February 2010 at 8:30PM. The show is usually available for download at the '4 Corners' website the next day, you can also provide feedback over the web.
- 18th International Congress on Palliative Care in Montreal - 5-8 Oct 10 - 2-Feb-2010
Montreal, Canada, will host the 18th International Congress on Palliative Care from 5 to 8 October 2010. The conference website is at www.pal2010.com. You can read all about it in English, French or Spanish.
- January 2010 Edition of IAHPC Newsletter Online - 14-Jan-2010
The latest edition of the online newsletter of the International Association of Hospice and Palliative Care is now available. Items include:
- some excellent book reviews, including one of Allan Kellehear's latest, The study of dying, From autonomy to transformation
- interesting announcements about valuable resources available around the world
- reports from IAHPC travelling fellows and scholars.
The newsletter is always well worth a read for those interested in the development of palliative care around the world.
- Advance Health Directives Website Now Live - 14-Jan-2010
The WA Department of Health has established a website about Advance Health Directives in time for the new legislation to take effect in February 2010. The web address is http://www.health.wa.gov.au/advancehealthdirective/home/. You can follow links to the relevant legislation and download an Advance Health Directive Form. The Enduring Power of Guardianship provisions of the new legislation will be administered by the Office of the Public Advocate - they already have some preliminary information available on their website.
- WA Advance Health Directive Law Operational from 15 Feb 10 - 11-Jan-2010
Western Australia's advance health directives legislation be operative from 15 February 2010. The Lieutenant-Governor, Hon Wayne Martin, made the proclamation on 8 January 2010.With Justice Martin's proclamation, the WA Guardianship and Administration Act 1990 is amended according to the changes detailed in the Acts Amendment (Consent to Medical Treatment) Act 2008, which was passed by the Parliament of WA in June 2008. The new laws permit people over 18 who have full legal capacity to make an advance health directive or appoint an enduring guardian. - Enduring Powers of Guardianship Training by OPA - 18-Dec-2009
The WA Office of the Public Advocate is responsible for implementing the new Enduring Powers of Guardianship system, which will become effective when the Consent to Medical Treatment Act 2008 is proclaimed in early 2010. The Office of the Public Advocate is conducting half-day training sessions with service providers. They have also developed training materials. You can register to attend a training session by emailing opa@justice.wa.gov.au or by calling 1300 858 455.
- WA Bereavement Assistance Program Information - 14-Dec-2009
The Western Australian Department of Child Protection administers the Bereavement Assistance Program. This was once known as the Funeral Assistance Program. You can see more information about the Program at http://www.community.wa.gov.au/DCP/Resources/Bereavement_Assistance_Program.htm. The webpage outlines the objectives of the Program, eligibility criteria, and what can be funded. You can also call the free-call number 1800 854 925.
- 'National Palliative Care Strategy' to be reviewed early 2010 - 14-Dec-2009
The Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing has announced that Communio has been appointed to help review and revise the National Palliative Care Strategy, which was adopted by state and territory and Commonwealth governments in 2000. You can read more about the review process, and register to receive information about the consultation workshop/s planned for Western Australia in early 2010, at the Communio website.
- WA Health Department releases new Clinical Services Framework 2010-20 - 4-Dec-2009
The WA Department of Health released a new 'Clinical Services Framework' for the years 2010 to 2020. This policy document outlines the location and level of the full range of state-funded health services. Palliative care's main mentions:
- page 21 - this table shows the level of palliative care service provision at the metropolitan public hospitals - Royal Perth Hospital and Fremantle Hospital will both see a contraction of palliative care services as the Fiona Stanley Hospital comes online, while services will expand at Rockingham, Armadale, Swan and Joondalup hospitals
- page 23 - this table covers palliative care service provision at the larger country hospitals ("Regional Resource Centres") and shows no change in the level of service offered at these facilities
- page 24 - outlines clincial service levels within 'Integrated District Health Services", and once again, shows no change in the level of service offered in these settings
- page 43 - this table summarises the resources needed to provide palliative care services at each of six levels.
The Framework has already garnered media attention.
You can download your own copy of the Framework from the WA Department of Health website: www.health.wa.gov.au.
- New material at CareSearch - 4-Dec-2009
The www.caresearch.com.au website is updated continually. The updates are summarised each month in an email sent to subscribers - sign up to receive this email here. View recent updates on this page. The December 2009 update includes information on:
- palliative care information for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people
- updates on the 'pain' page
- additions to the 'grey literature' database
- additions to the CareSearch review literature collection
- a report on palliative care health promotion in Victoria
and much more.
- World Hospice and Palliative Care Online newsletter - 4-Dec-2009
Palliative and hospice care is a global movement which continues to gather pace, particularly in developing countries. The Hospice Information Service, located in London and supported by Help the Hospices and St Christopher's Hospice, publishes the 'World Hospice and Palliative Care Online' newsletter every two months. This newsletter can be emailed to you - simply click the 'subscribe' link on the bottom of the latest edition (# 60), which can be found at http://www.helpthehospices.org.uk/enewsletter/whpco_issue_60.htm. Items in the current edition include:
- the evaluation of World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2009
- new palliative care toolkit for Africa
- online service directory in India
- a section on palliative care for children
- a policy framework for the use of sedation in palliative care.
- DVDs of Together! plenary sessions now available - 4-Dec-2009
Palliative Care Australia has released DVDs of the plenary sessions of the Together! Palliative Care Conference held in Perth 24-27 September 2009. Speakers include Prof Rod MacLeod, Prof Sheila Payne, Dr Bruce Rumbold, Dr Bee Wee, a tribute to Dr Rosalie Shaw, and much much more. Learn more and download an order form for the 4 DVD set from the Palliative Care Australia website.
- Inaugural International Advance Care Planning Conference - 22-24 Apr 10 - 6-Nov-2009
The Inaugural International Advance Care Planning Conference will be held in Melbourne from 22 to 24 April 2010. Abstracts are due on 11 November 2009 (yes, next week), early-bird rates expire 10 February 2010. Learn more at the website: www.internationalacp2010.com.
- Palliative Care Nurses Australia Conference - 27-28 Aug 2010 - 6-Nov-2009
The 3rd Palliative Care Nurses Australia conference, Excellence and Innovation, will be held in Brisbane on 27 and 28 August 2010. All the details are available at the PCNA website - www.pcna.org.au.
- lifebook - 6-Nov-2009
Perth company Living Years has launched 'lifebook'. This is an online space where family and friends can post photos, stories, eulogies etc on a memorial page dedicated to someone who has died. First two weeks is free, after that, a small annual fee. Visit www.livingyears.com or call 08 9444 3224 for more details.
- Natural Earth Burial Society of Australia - 6-Nov-2009
The vision of the Natural Earth Burial Society of Australia is to see the majority of Australians embrace a more natural, eco-sensitive approach to death, funerals and memorialisation. One of the Society's aims is to faciliate the establishment of a network of natural burial grounds across Australia. The website, at www.naturalearthburial.com, has lots of information.
- Report on Quality Use of Palliative Care Medications in the Community - 6-Nov-2009
National Prescribing Service and Palliative Care Australia have released a report on the quality of use of palliative care medicines in the community, available at the Palliative Care Australia website: www.palliativecare.org.au.
- WA Consent to Medical Treatment Legislation - Regulations Gazetted - 9-Oct-2009
The WA Parliament passed the Consent to Medical Treatment Act 2008 in June last year. The Minister for Health, the Hon Dr Kim Hames MLA, announced in June 2009 that this legislation would be proclaimed (ie become effective in law) in September 2009. During the middle part of 2009 Palliative Care WA Inc and many other stakeholders participated in a consultation process organised by the Department of Health and the Office of the Public Advocate to look at the Advance Health Directive and Enduring Power of Guardianship paperwork and other implementation issues (see the Advocacy page on this website for more details). During September 2009 the WA Government gazetted the regulations (see page 3583) which outline important operational aspects of the new legislation. Once the regulations are approved by Parliament the new laws will be proclaimed.
- New PCWA Executive Committee - 9-Oct-2009
The Palliative Care WA Inc Annual General Meeting was held on 8 October 2009. The current Executive Committee is:
- Dr Scott Blackwell - President (elected for two years in 2009)
- Stephen Carmody - Vice President (elected for 2 years in 2008)
- Eleanor Roderick - Hon Secretary (elected for 2 years in 2008)
- Dr Margherita Nicoletti - General Member (elected for 2 years in 2008)
- Helen Walker - General Member (elected for 2 years in 2008)
- Glenys Thomas - General Member (elected for 2 years in 2008)
- Karen Neale - General Member (elected for two years in 2009)
- Pru Jarrah - General Member (elected for 2 years in 2008)
- Dr Erica Davison - General Member (elected for 2 years in 2009)
- Andrew Allsop - General Member (elected for 2 years in 2009)
- Robyn Ellis - General Member (co-opted for two years in 2009).
Sue Henning has stepped down as Hon Treasurer after several years in the role. Dr Alice Phua's term as a co-opted member came to end. We thank Sue and Alice for their contributions to Palliative Care WA Inc.
The AGM also:
- accepted the audited financial statements for the year ending 30 June 2009 - these will be posted on the website shortly
- accepted changes to the PCWA Constitution - these will be posted on the website shortly.
- THANKYOU to all who helped make the Together! Conference so good - 9-Oct-2009
All at Palliative Care WA Inc, on behalf of the 1,250 delegates to the Together! Cultural connections for quality care at the end of life conference which we held here in Perth from 24 to 27 September 2009, give sincere thanks to everybody who volunteered their time and effort to make the the event a ROARING success.
- National Partnership Agreement Implementation Plans - 9-Oct-2009
The National Partnership Agreement on Hospital and Health Workforce Reform was signed by all Australian governments in late 2008/early 2009. There are four main elements of the Agreement:
- activity based funding
- workforce enablers
- subacute care
- taking pressure off public hospitals.
Both Palliative Care WA Inc and Palliative Care Australia have actively sought to influence the implementation of the Agreement at both state and national levels: see our letter to the WA Department of Health here, and Palliative Care Australia's recent E-Bulletins for more background. Local implementation plans are now being developed by the states and territories.
Under Schedule C of the Agreement (subacute care) Western Australia was allocated $48.609M over four years to expand service provision by 5% annually. The WA Department of Health has developed the 'Subacute Care - Western Australia Implementation Plan 2008-13'. While this document forms the implementation plan required to secure Schedule C funding in WA, it builds on several years of health service reform planning. The Plan notes that 'the palliative care sector has been the recipient of significant injections of State Government and Commonwealth funding over the past four years to increase service capacity. In this context, a limited approach will be taken to provide services where gaps remain. It is recommended that there will be a small proportion of funds relative to other sectors allocated to palliative care.'
Specific palliative care investments are shown on page 18 of the Plan, they include: implementing a training package focussing on patient transitions between hospitals and residential aged care facilities and the creation of a community palliative care registrar's position in North Metro Area Health Service. Service provision increases for the period 2009-13 are outlined on the same page.
- New WA Bereavement Assistance Program Announced - 22-Sep-2009
Visit the WA Government's media statements website here: http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Results.aspx?ItemID=132511 to see Minister Robyn McSweeney's announcement of the new Bereavement Assistance Program.
Palliative Care WA Inc welcomes the announcement. - Latest edition of 'Palliative Care Matters' - 7-Sep-2009
We have published the latest edition of the newsletter of Palliative Care WA Inc, 'Palliative Care Matters'. Hardcopies are available from our office - email pcwainc@palliativecarewa.asn.au or phone 1300 551 704.
- Seminar: 'Closing the Gap For Indigenous Palliative Care' - information now available - 28-Aug-2009
We have released the information form for the 'Closing the Gap for Indigenous Palliative Care Seminar' planned for Thursday 24 September 2009 in Perth. All welcome.
- Syringe Driver Replacement Program Announced - 21-Aug-2009
Palliative Care Australia has announced the national Syringe Driver Replacement Program. You can read the details at the PCA website: www.palliativecare.org.au. We understand the WA Country Health Service is helping PCA to identify all syringe drivers that need replacement and manage purchases under the Program.
- Community Palliative Care Grants Program - Round 5 - 21-Aug-2009
The Australian Government's Department of Health and Ageing has announced Round 5 of the Community Palliative Care Grants Program. More information is available from the Department's website at http://www.health.gov.au/tenders. Organisations interested in collaborating with Palliative Care WA Inc are encouraged to contact this office on 1300 551 704 or by email to pcwainc@palliativecarewa.asn.au.
- PCWA Media Release - Rossiter - 21-Aug-2009
Palliative Care WA Inc was featured in several media spots related to the case of Perth man Christian Rossiter. Our media release on this topic is available at our website: PCWA Media Release 07 Aug 09 - Christian Rossiter.
- PCWA Advocacy Activities - 21-Aug-2009
The last couple of months have been particularly busy on the advocacy front. We have posted some recent advocacy materials on the PCWA website. Topics include the cessation of the WA Funerals Assistance Program, the COAG agreement on health and health workforce reform and the soon-to-be-proclaimed WA Consent to Medical Treatment legislation.
- E-Bulletin from Palliative Care Australia about the new National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission Report - 27-Jul-2009
Visit the PCA website to read a brief Palliative Care Australia E-Bulletin about the the final report of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission. This is a significant piece of policy work which is set to influence the development of the national health system for decades into the future. Palliative Care Australia's general view of the report is that it contains several elements which could be good for palliative and end of life care.
- PCWA Thanks Our Partners - 17-Jul-2009
Palliative Care WA Inc thanks our community partners - visit http://www.palliativecarewa.asn.au/partners.php to see who they are, click through to their website, and learn more.
- Cessation of WA Funeral Assistance Program - 2-Jul-2009
The Western Australia Funeral Assistance Program, which was administered for several years by the Department for Child Protection, ceased on 30 June 2009.
In contact with the office of The Hon Robyn McSweeney MLC Minister for Child Protection, Community Services, Seniors and Volunteering and Women's' Interests, on 29 June 2009, Palliative Care WA Inc has been advised that:
- the partner or family member of a deceased person seeking assistance to pay for the funeral should, in the first instance, contact Centrelink to enquire about accessing the Bereavement Payment or Bereavement Allowance - note that individuals can also register an 'Intent to Claim' before the person dies - visit http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/individuals/help_index.htm or call 13 61 50
- Centrelink may also pay the final instalment of an income support payment to the estate of a deceased single person after their death - visit http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/individuals/help_index.htm or call 13 61 50 for more information
- if there is no family to claim a body and organise a funeral, service providers should call the Western Australia Public Trustee on 1300 746 116 (or visit http://www.publictrustee.wa.gov.au/_apps/contacts/default.aspx for more contact details) to get forms which request the Public Trustee to take responsibility for the body.
We imagine the Public Trustee will take funds from the estate of the deceased, if the body is unclaimed, to pay for the funeral. In the past, if the estate was worth nothing, funding would be sought from the Funeral Assistance Program. In a conversation with staff at the WA Public Trustee's office on 29 June 2009, it was not clear how the funerals of unclaimed and impoverished Western Australians would be paid for after 1 July 2009.
This is a new issue in this state, in addition to the cost to palliative care services of transporting and storing the bodies of poor people who died in their care. You can read more information about that problem here: http://www.palliativecarewa.asn.au/advocacy.php.
- PCWA Membership Form Available Online - 2-Jul-2009
The Palliative Care WA Inc membership year runs from 01 July each year, which means that it's time to renew your membership for Financial Year 2010 (thank you to those members who have already renewed - you know who you are!). You can download a membership form from our website at http://www.palliativecarewa.asn.au/about_wa.php, the same page includes links to the current PCWA Constitution and Strategic Plan. Please email the PCWA office on pcwainc@palliativecarewa.asn.au if you need a hardcopy of any of these documents.
- New information on subcutaneous infusion devices in Australia - 2-Jul-2009
Palliative Care Australia has updated their report on subcutaneous infusion devices available in Australia. You can access this report from PCWA's 'Information for Health Professionals' webpage: http://www.palliativecarewa.asn.au/info_pro.php, along with a brief report of a clinical trial of two different pumps at Royal Perth Hospital last year.
- WA Minister for Health announces implementation of Consent to Medical Treatment legislation - 12-Jun-2009
On 09 June 2009 the Western Australian Minister for Health, Hon Dr Kim Hames MLA, announced that the Acts Amendment (Consent to Medical Treatment) Act 2008 would be implemented within three months. You can view his media statement here: http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx?ItemId=132025&. Dr Scott Blackwell, President of Palliative Care WA Inc, in welcoming the announcement, said: “People, especially those approaching the end of life, want some control over the care they receive, even if they are not able to speak for themselves. The Act goes some way towards assuring they have this control. It was passed by the WA Parliament nearly 12 months ago after many years of work, and people all over the state have been eagerly awaiting this announcement." He went to to say that “We hope the Department of Health and the Office of the Public Advocate, who will have responsibility for this legislation, consult a wide range of people, including consumers, about the best way to implement it and ensure the paperwork is useable. It would also be helpful to know the formal enactment date and details of the registry that is part of this new law." View Palliative Care WA Inc's position statement on advance care planning here: http://www.palliativecarewa.asn.au/policy.php.
- How to order 'Dying to Know' - 12-Jun-2009
A gentle, lighthearted and well-informed book about dying, death, bereavement and living well, 'Dying to Know - Bringing Death to Life' has proved to be very popular in all parts of our community . You can learn more about the book, and order bulk copies, by visiting the website of Pilotlight, the tiny social change charity based in Sydney which first published it in 2007: http://www.pilotlight.org.au/Dying-to-Know. (Please note that the latest reprint of DTK has a blue cover with two old dudes jumping off a jetty.)
- Updated report on syringe drivers in palliative care released by PCA - 12-Jun-2009
Palliative Care Australia has updated its report on the different models of infusion devices which are available for use in palliative and end of life care in Australia. You can download the report from the PCA website: http://www.palliativecare.org.au/Default.aspx?tabid=1943.
- Federal Government funding for palliative care - 12-Jun-2009
The Australian Government for Minister for Ageing, Hon Justine Elliott MP, announced funding for palliative care during National Palliative Care Week in late May 2009: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/mr-yr09-je-je071.htm?OpenDocument&yr=2009&mth=5. At the time of the Federal Budget, we noticed a few mentions for palliative care, but not much detail (see the news of 13 May 2009 at http://www.palliativecarewa.asn.au/news.php). Palliative Care Australia has calculated $113M under the palliative care expenditure line in the forward estimates (ie after 01 July 2010) - we assume this will form the substance of a renewed National Palliative Care Program (the current $62.8M program ends 30 June 2010), but await more information. In addition, we expect a small sum will flow to palliative/end of life care as a result of the COAG agreement on hospital and health workforce reform negotiated in late 2008 (http://www.coag.gov.au/intergov_agreements/federal_financial_relations/docs/national_partnership/national_partnership_on_hospital_and_health_workforce_reform.pdf).
- Dr Norman Swan speech - 12-Jun-2009
Dr Norman Swan, host of ABC Radio National's 'Health Report' addressed a meeting of federal parliamentarians in Canberra on 27 May 2009 as part of National Palliative Care Week. You can read an edited transcript here: http://www.palliativecare.org.au/Portals/46/Norman%20Swan%20-%20presentation%20-%20breakfast%20at%20parliament.pdf
- New book: 'Managing Pain in Children, A Clinical Guide' - 28-May-2009
'Managing Pain in Children, A Clinical Guide' features contributions by Stephanie Dowden, the Nurse Consultant at the WA Paediatric Palliative Care Service. More information on the book is available at www.wiley.com.
- Rear Vision program on the history of palliative care - 28-May-2009
ABC Radio National aired an excellent half-hour history of palliative care on their regular 'Rear Vision' program yesterday (27 May 2009). The audio downloads and written transcripts are available on the ABC website: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/rearvision/stories/2009/2576992.htm.
- Australian Government funding for palliative care - 28-May-2009
A couple of the slightly puzzling expenditure lines in the recent Federal Budget make more sense after the Minister for Ageing, The Hon Justine Elliott MP, yesterday (27 May 2009) announced $14.4M in funding to support local organisations providing palliative care, for equipment, and to update the National Palliative Care Strategy (which is now nearly 9 years old). The Minister's media release can be accessed from the Department of Health and Ageing's website: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/mr-yr09-je-je071.htm. The National Palliative Care Strategy is available online too: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/palliativecare-pubs-npcstrat.htm~palliativecare-pubs-npcstrat-3.htm.
- WA Minister for Health announces funding for palliative care services development - 26-May-2009
The Hon Dr Kim Hames MLA, WA Minister for Health, announced a significant funding package to develop palliative care services in WA at the launch of National Palliative Care Week in Perth this morning. You can read the Minister's media release here: http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx?ItemId=131929&. Read Palliative Care WA Inc's response to the announcement here: http://www.palliativecarewa.asn.au/downloads/PCWA-WA-Govt-Funding-Media-Release-2009.pdf. You can also see our original 2008 State Election 'manifesto' on our website: http://www.palliativecarewa.asn.au/advocacy.php.
- 'EoL' magazine and PCA E-Bulletins - 26-May-2009
Palliative Care Australia has just released the very first edition of 'EoL' magazine, a forum for policy ideas and debate in the area of palliative and end of life care. I have a limited number of copies here at the office - email me if you would like me to post a copy to you (first in best dressed). Look out for this excellent new publication at your workplace. PCA has also released their regular E-Bulletin for May 2009 (incorporating National Palliative Care Week) and a Federal Budget Supplement - both available here: http://www.palliativecare.org.au/Default.aspx?tabid=1485.
- National Palliative Care Week - resources now available from PCA - 13-May-2009
National Palliative Care Week runs from 24 to 30 May 2009. The theme this year is 'If only I knew... Finding answers to questions that help us live and die as best we can.' An order form for the full range of information resources developed by Palliative Care Australia is available at http://www.palliativecare.org.au.
- Palliative Care for Undergraduates - latest newsletter available online - 13-May-2009
The PCC4U project is an initiative of the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, through the National Palliative Care Program. It aims to promote the inclusion of palliative care education as an integral part of all medical, nursing and allied health undergraduate education. You can learn more about the project, and the download the 14th issue of the Project Newsletter, at www.pcc4u.org (this will redirect to the correct page on the Caresearch website).
- 'The Standard' National Standards Assessment Program newsletter now available online - 13-May-2009
Palliative Care Australia manages the National Standards Assessment Program. The NSAP process is a continous quality improvement program based on the PDSA (plan-do-study-act) cycle, applied to the 'Standards for providing quality palliative care for all Australians', published by Palliative Care Australia in 2005. The 5th edition of the 'The Standard', the newsletter of the NSAP, is available online at http://www.palliativecare.org.au/Default.aspx?tabid=1758. The NSAP website is: http://www.standards.palliativecare.org.au/.
- 'The Centrepiece' newsletter of the Centre for Palliative Care Research and Education online - 13-May-2009
The Centre for Palliative Care Education and Research is a joint venture between St Vincent's Hospital and the University of Melbourne. The website is www.pallcare.unimelb.edu.au, where you can also access the Centre's newsletter, 'The Centrepiece'.
- Federal Budget 2009 - palliative care gets a mention - 13-May-2009
The Federal Budget for 2009-10 was handed down last night, 12 May 2009.
Here is the link to the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing's homepage, which includes buttons to download the relevant Budget documents: http://www.health.gov.au/.
Palliative care falls under Outcome 10 - Health System Capacity and Quality. You can download the specific papers for this area here: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/budget/publishing.nsf/Content/2009-2010_Health_PBS_sup2/$File/Outcome%2010%20-%20Health%20System%20and%20Capacity.pdf. This section is 32 pages long - use the 'find' function on your internet browser software to find the palliative care mentions.
Palliative Care Australia has issued a media release: http://www.palliativecare.org.au/Portals/46/Federal%20Budget%202009%20-%20PCA%20media%20release.pdf.
Visit www.palliativecare.org.au, the website of Palliative Care Australia, to sign up on PCA Connect - you will then automatically receive the national E-Bulletin and other information.
The WA State Budget is due to be presented on 14 May 2009. - IPP-SHR Podcasts - 22-Apr-2009
The International Program of Psycho-Social Health Research, located at Central Queensland University, provides a regular podcast on their website at www.ipp-shr.cqu.edu.au/podcasts. Recent topics include communications issues when deactivating defibrillators at the end of life, and the experiences and perceptions of end of life palliative care nutrition and hydration.
- Caroline Jones - 'Through a Glass Darkly' - 22-Apr-2009
ABC broadcaster Caroline Jones has recently published a book detailing her grief after the death of her father entitled 'Through a Glass Darkly'. Listen to Caroline's intruiging interview with Jane Caro on ABC Radion National's 'Life Matters' on 20 April 2009 here: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/lifematters/stories/2009/2543540.htm.
- 01 April 2009 edition of the PCWA State Bulletin - 22-Apr-2009
Many thanks to all who entered into the spirit of April Fools Day this year by congratulating me on my selection to ride the Tour de France, as announced in the PCWA State Bulletin of 01 April 2009. I will be thinking of you when the race begins in early July (as I watch the live broadcast on SBS from home).
- New information pages at PCWA website for consumers and health care providers - 2-Apr-2009
Palliative Care WA Inc is pleased to announce that new information pages for both consumers and the general public, and health care providers, have been added to our website - just point your browser at www.palliativecarewa.asn.au and follow the menu prompts on the left. The new pages use a simple question and answer format to provide summary information and directions to detailed resources about a range of important topics. Feedback on the format and content of the pages will be gratefully received.
- UK's National Council on Palliative Care - 2-Apr-2009
The UK's National Council for Palliative Care maintains a useful website at http://www.ncpc.org.uk/ - the Newsroom page includes links to a range of recent publications about end of life care policy development in Britain (thanks GG for the link).
- New Advance Care Planning in WA Position Statement - 23-Mar-2009
Palliative Care WA Inc has adopted a new Position Statement on Advance Care Planning in Western Australia. You can view the Position Statement at http://www.palliativecarewa.asn.au/policy.php (the Policy page on our website).
- 'Hope and Hurdles' - Resource for women with secondary breast cancer - 5-Mar-2009
The 'Hope and Hurdles' pack is a free kit for Australian women diagnosed with secondary breast cancer containing booklets, a CD and other resources. It includes information about treatments, support options, useful contacts and resources, tips for partners and carers and practical suggestions and messages of hope from other women living with secondary breast cancer. Women can order a pack at no cost from Breast Cancer Network Australia, see www.bcna.org.au or phone 1300 887 340.
- Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach - PEPA - 5-Mar-2009
PEPA is alive and well in Western Australia. Visit the website at www.pepaeducation.com or email Kathy Parr here in Western Australia (pepa@cancerwa.asn.au) for more information.
- National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission Interim Report - 18-Feb-2009
The National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission released an Interim Report yesterday, 17 February 2009. The Report includes important information about palliative and end of life care in several areas, notably Chapter 7 (http://www.nhhrc.org.au/internet/nhhrc/publishing.nsf/Content/BA7D3EF4EC7A1F2BCA25755B001817EC/$File/CHAPTER%207.pdf) which is entitled ‘Caring for people at the end of life’. Palliative Care Australia’s initial response is a media release, which you can read here: http://www.palliativecare.org.au/Portals/46/PCA%20e-bulletin%20Supplement.pdf. We note this is an interim document and anticipate some changes (including mention of the National Standards Assessment Program) will emerge in the final version in June 2009.
- Cochrane Collaboration – Systematic Reviews of the Evidence - 13-Feb-2009
A quick scan of the Cochrane Collaboration’s ‘Plain Language Summaries’ about evidence for a range of palliative care interventions in the Cochrane Collaboration’s Database of Systematic Reviews, shows that there is an urgent ongoing need for high quality research in many areas. Abstracts for all Systematic Reviews in the Cochrane Library are available for free at www.cochrane.org – simply type a key term into the box on the right.
- PCA Interim Position Statements online - 6-Jan-2009
In recent months Palliative Care Australia has been working to develop a series of detailed Position Statements regarding matters relevant to palliative and end of life care. Five Interim Position Statements are now available for comment - you can view them on the Palliative Care Australia website at www.palliativecare.org.au. The topics are:
-- carers and end of life
-- advance care planning
-- primary health care and end of life
-- residential aged care and end of life
-- voluntary euthanasia and physician assisted suicide.
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