Take a look at what is happening in palliative care this month...
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Dear Members and friends,
On Tuesday 4th of October, PCT held our Annual General Meeting followed by an information and networking event for Members, stakeholders and friends at Hadley's Hotel in Hobart.
It is always such a pleasure to take stock of the year that has passed and reflect on the many achievements, challenges and changes for our organisation and our sector. We invite you to read our Annual Report and share in some of the wonderful successes of what was an incredibly busy year for our team. This year two of our casual Directors were formally elected to the Board, we welcome Fiona Pringle-Jones and Sally Clark. You can view our entire Board here.
It was our pleasure to announce a Lifetime Membership awarded to Lois Berry of Hospice Care Association of North West Tasmania in recognition of many years of support and service to not only PCT but to the palliative care community.
Thank you to Colleen Johnstone (PCT) and Camilla Rowland, CEO of Palliative Care Australia (PCA) who both presented overviews of the local and national palliative care agendas. In November all the state peak CEO's will join us again in Tasmania for a national forum and for the Tasmanian Palliative Care Conference.
While we took a moment to look back, we are reminded just how much is still ahead of us in our sector in the last few month of 2022.
Our focus now shifts to developing our Budget Priority Submission which will outline our key priorities to government. Voluntary Assisted Dying begins on October 23rd and the Advance Care Directive (ACD) legislation changes passed on the 29th of September become fully operational on the 21st of November. PCT with the support of the Tasmanian Government are currently working on a community awareness campaign to ensure key messaging is in the community to support these changes to the ACD.
On November 17th and 18th PCT are hosting the 2022 Tasmanian Palliative Care Conference - Quality of Life. If you have not secured your ticket yet, we encourage you to register as soon as you can. This conference will bring together so many incredible speakers and presenters at such an important time in our sector.
In addition to the 20+ speakers and 24 concurrent sessions, the Premier will officially launch the Conference. There will be time to connect with and meet new sector colleagues, build your network and your knowledge.
Finally, we welcome two new PCT team members; Bradley McGill joins us in the role of Policy and Workforce Development Advisor and Jess Sanders who is taking up the role as our Youth Resilience Program Co-Ordinator.
See you all at the Conference!
The PCT Team.
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Full conference program released
The Tasmanian Palliative Care Conference 2022 is a two day event that will feature expert national and international speakers, quality engagement and specialist content. You will gain valuable insights focusing on innovative clinical developments, best practice, education and research.
The conference theme is Quality of Life, and brings together leading minds and on the ground expertise to exchange and share experiences.
We have 24 concurrent sessions to chose from across this not to be missed two day professional development event.
The 2022 Tasmanian Palliative Care Conference has been designed for both clinical and non clinical delegates. This includes community and health care professionals, palliative care providers, aged care workers, community care professionals and those that want to contribute to driving change for the benefit of Tasmanians living with a life limiting illness.
The conference will be strategic, practical and forward thinking and contribute to your professional development and knowledge in the sector.
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PCT resource release
There is an increasing number of people in our workplaces who are impacted by a life-limiting illness: some individuals may be diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, and others may become responsible for caring for a loved one.
Death is an uncomfortable topic of conversation in our society and for many, dealing with it in the workplace is not easy either, whether for the affected worker, HR professionals, or managers/teams.
Managers/HR professionals will learn how to have helpful, practical and sensitive discussions; and get guidance and information to help plan for dealing with life-limiting illness in the workplace.
People with a life-limiting illness will learn how to make informed decisions on whether, and how long, to keep working, and initiate productive conversations about working with a life-limiting illness. Toolkits and resources for both these audiences will be provided.
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Life limiting illness in the workplace - webinar
Back by popular demand, as part of WorkSafe Tasmania month, Palliative Care Tasmania will be hosting a 2nd presentation on Life limiting illnesses in the workplace.
There is an increasing number of people in our workplaces who are impacted by a life-limiting illness: some individuals may be diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, and others may become responsible for caring for a loved one.
The webinar will be held on Thursday 27th October 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Work safe months schedule of events can be found here:
https://worksafe.tas.gov.au/topics/services-and-events/month
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Community Connection
Community Connection – Recognising Dying
Location: Online (Zoom)
Date/time: 8th November 11am-12.00noon
Link: https://events.humanitix.com/community-connection-u2b18mvu-pvq4657i-wnytgd91-b4ndcy26
You can always check out our educational calendar online - here or contact us to arrange one of our Health Promotions officers to speak to your organisation or community group.
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National Dietetic Webinar
Topic 1. Healthy Ageing – Mind and Body
This session will look at lifestyle factors such as nutrition, exercise, and being socially active to promote healthy ageing. As we age-specific nutrient needs may be higher while the ability to meet those needs has more barriers. Many adults are at risk of malnutrition and frailty. This session will help provide an understanding of how important factors such as maintaining muscle mass and getting the right nutrition can make a difference to your clients (as well as your own) health and what you can do now to reduce the risk of age-related diseases.
Location: Online (Zoom)
Date/time: 9th of November 2022- 1:00pm – 2:00pm.
Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/national-dietetic-webinar-topic-1-healthy-ageing-mind-and-body
Topic 2. Nutrition and Palliative Care
Food is associated with maintenance of health and life, expressions of love and the celebration of important events. The inability or loss of desire to eat and drink can be perceived by the person and family as an indication that the illness is progressing and can induce feelings of anxiety, frustration and loss.
Questions around a person’s weight, food intake and nutritional supplements can dominate the caring agenda and need to be addressed directly and sensitively. This presentation discusses the value of food, comfort, and nutritional requirements at end of life as well as the importance of using appropriate language.
Location: Online (Zoom)
Date/time: 16th of November - 1:00pm – 2:00pm.
Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/national-dietetic-webinar-topic-1-healthy-ageing-mind-and-body2
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Seniors Week
Seniors Week is back this year from Monday 17 October-Sunday 23 October.
Now, more than ever, Seniors Week provides an important opportunity to reconnect with community and friends and to celebrate all that living in Tasmania has to offer. Older Tasmanians have a wealth of knowledge that enriches our community life, so it is fitting that the theme for this year is 'Enrich'.
Palliative Care Tasmania and Libraries Tasmania are hosting special Seniors Week events in Devonport, Burnie and Launceston.
These free and community-based sessions are not to miss! We will be discussing:
· What is an Advance Care Directive?
· Why do I need one?
· The legal components of Advance Care Directives.
· Choosing a substitute decision maker.
· How to make sure your Advance Care Plan reflects your values and choices in relation to your healthcare.
· How to communicate to others what matters most to you.
There will be opportunities for Q&A throughout the session.
Seniors Week: Advance Care Planning – Devonport
Location: Paranaple centre, 137 Rooke St, Devonport TAS 7310, Australia – Devonport Library.
Date/time: 18th of October 2022 - 12:00pm – 2:00pm.
Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/seniors-week-advance-care-planning-devonport
Seniors Week: Advance Care Planning - Burnie
Location: 30 Alexander St, Burnie TAS 7320, Australia – Burnie Library.
Date/time: 18th of October 2022 - 3:00pm – 4:30pm.
Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/seniors-week-advance-care-planning-burnie
Seniors Week: Advance Care Planning - Launceston
Location: 71 Civic Square, Launceston TAS 7250, Australia – Launceston Library.
Date/time: 20th of October 2022 - 12:15pm – 2:15pm.
Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/seniors-week-advance-care-planning-burnie
Don't miss this amazing opportunity to speak directly with Palliative Care Tasmania.
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Public Trustee information sessions
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Join us. Become a Member.
At Palliative Care Tasmania, our mission is to lead and influence policy and practice, advocate, educate and support people of all ages to access quality palliative care.
You can help us achieve this by becoming a member.
We welcome membership from anyone with an interest in palliative care. Whether you are a health professional, aged care provider, volunteer/carer, a policy influencer or simply part of a Tasmanian community of care, our member network supports and connects you to valuable information and resources.
Our Members area collective voice to our Tasmanian leaders and decision makers on important sector issues. As a member, you will also be eligible to vote on key issues and also nominate as a Director on our Board to help lead our organisation and influence the palliative care sector in Tasmania
We have revised our model and member benefits and now offer 4 levels of membership:
Individual
- Community Supporter Membership $20/year +GST
- Professional Membership $50/year +GST (new)
Organisation
- Not-for-profit organisations $150/year +GST
- For-profit organisations $250/year +GST
ALL MEMBERSHIP RUNS July 1- June 30 ( Financial Year).
Come and join us today - here
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Free Webinar: End of Life Law for Clinicians
Thursday 13 October 2022, 12.30pm-1.30pm AEDT
As a partner in the End of Life Directions for Aged Care (ELDAC) project, AHHA is pleased to present this free webinar on End of Life Law for Clinicians (ELLC).
This interactive webinar will feature discussions on the laws relating to end of life decision-making and will explore, through a clinical case study, some of the legal issues that can arise in end of life and palliative care practice.
Legal topics may include capacity and consent to medical treatment, substitute decision-making, providing pain relief, and futile or non-beneficial treatment.
The webinar will be delivered by Penny Neller, National Palliative Care Projects Coordinator at the Australian Centre for Health Law Research and clinical co-presenter Dr Paresh Dawda, Director and Principal of Prestantia Health, General Medical Practitioner, academic and researcher.
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Pictured: Ken (left ), Hannah (middle) Nigel (right)
Palliative Care Tas visited the residents, family members and staff Mayshaw Residential facility in Swansea in September for a session on Advance Care Planning.
The staff explored what palliative care was and how to have difficult conversations with their residents about planning for end-of-life care. There were also some very keen residents who sat around and chatted to Hannah about what a good day looked like for them.
Ken stated that it was important for him to maintain his independence and continue walking to his son’s house which was nearby and to be out in the resident garden, while Nigel said it was the sunshine and being outside and chatting with other residents that was important to him. Another resident Judy spoke openly to Hannah about her medical issues and how she had been “close to death many times” after several strokes. Judy stated that she had spoken with her family about her wishes and she just wanted to live out her days comfortable in her home at Mayshaw. Judy said that as long as she could continue reading, having a laugh and listening to Waylon Jennings, she would die a happy woman.
If you would like the PCT Health Promotions team to visit your community or organisation please contact Hannah Butler for more information.
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New voluntary assisted dying training
Medical practitioners and registered nurses who are considering playing a formal role in the voluntary assisted dying (VAD) process can now access the Tasmanian Approved Voluntary Assisted Dying Training.
Voluntary assisted dying under the End-of-Life Choices (Voluntary Assisted Dying) Act 2021 (the Act) will commence in Tasmania on 23 October 2022.
Any medical practitioner or registered nurse who wants to play a formal role in the VAD process is required under the Act to undertake the Tasmanian Approved VAD Training before they can do so.
The training is provided as an offline application. Any medical practitioner or registered nurse wanting to undertake it should contact 1800 568 956 or vad@health.tas.gov.au to make a request, providing their name and a postal address to which the training can be sent.
Based on user testing, this training takes 5-10 hours, and includes an assessment.
Some additional detail on the training is available at Voluntary assisted dying training for participating practitioners | Tasmanian Department of Health (https://www.health.tas.gov.au/voluntary-assisted-dying-training-participating-practitioners).
Any health professional might be asked about VAD, and will need to consider their level of involvement. A separate introductory learning module providing basic information about voluntary assisted dying, and the minimum obligations that are likely be relevant in the conduct of professional practice, will be made available shortly via the department.
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