GRPCC Newsletter - Winter 2011 - GHA Central

life & death matters
Newsletter of Gippsland Region Palliative Care Consortium
NO.16 WINTER 2011
www.gha.net.au/GRPCC
This Issue:
New Manager for GRPCC
Gippsland Region Palliative
Care Conference
– Reports & Comments
Palliative Care Nurse
Practitioner Candidates
– An update
Nurse Pactitioner Candidate
– Central west region
Intro to Palliative Care Short
Course Graduates
GRPCC Clinical Practice Group
Contacts:
Anne Curtin
- Chair, GRPCC
t. (03) 5623 0614
e. anne.curtin@wghg.com.au
Vicki Doherty
- Consortium Manager
t. 0419 797 513
e. vicki.doherty@bcrh.com.au
Maggie Goss
- Regional Volunteer Support
t. (03) 5155 8300
e. maggieg@glch.org.au
Steve Kirkbright
- Communications
t. 041 202 6522
e. steve@pgws.com.au
Anny Byrne
- PICD
t. (03) 5623 0684
e. anny.byrne@wghg.com.au
Mary Ross-Heazlewood
- Clinical Practice & Education
t. (03) 5667 5661
e. mary.ross-heazlewood@gshs.com.au
Toine Bovill & Maryann Bills
- MND Shared Care
t. (03) 5623 0870
e. toine.bovill@wghg.com.au
Office Hours:
8.30am - 4.30pm Tuesday
8.30am - 4.30pm Thursday
Phone Judy (03) 5623 0684
From the Chair
Welcome Vicki
It is with great pleasure that we welcome Vicki
Doherty as Consortium Manager. We know that she
will fit in well and hope that you all make yourself
known to her as she meets with Services and works
across Gippsland Region.
Introducing
Vicki Doherty
New Consortium Manager
I am delighted and feel very privileged to be
joining the Consortium at this important time. The
Department of Health is in the final stages of preparing
their revised palliative care
policy Strengthening palliative
care: Policy and strategic
directions 2011-2015
and the Consortium is close
to finalizing the Regional
Palliative Care Consultancy
Service Model – Operational
Plan 2011-2015.
As an outsider, I am
enormously impressed by
the achievements of the
Consortium to date. The high level of collaboration
and support fostered by members of this Consortium is
very rare. I understand that many of you are very passionate
about palliative care, which is reflected in the
commitment you have shown to improving the quality
of palliative care in our communities.
My background is primarily in primary care policy
development and implementation, and program management.
I have also worked in research and evaluation
and community development. Having worked
in government for the past five years, I am pleased to
be moving back to a grass roots organization that is
making a real difference on the ground.
I’m a Bairnsdale bairn, lived in Sale for six years
and spent many years on the move, both interstate
and overseas. I’m excited to be living in Gippsland
again – in Inverloch with my partner, son and golden
retriever. I am often on the road but my office is
located at Wonthaggi Hospital. If you are passing by
please drop in and say hello, or call or email me. Otherwise,
I look forward to meeting you when I visit the
member services in this wonderful region shortly.
The 4th Annual Gippsland Palliative Care Conference
provided delegates from across Gippsland with expert
keynote speakers and a full program of workshops.
Conference reports & feedback inside.
Conference proceedings are available on
the website www.gha.net.au/GRPCC
Gippsland
Palliative Care
Conference
Reports & Feedback inside
As organisers of the Gippsland
Palliative Care Conference we
were once again delighted at the
response with registrations filled
within a couple of weeks. Expressions
of interest came from all
disciplines, but the majority were
nurses from acute, aged care,
community and volunteers. The
conference also attracted radiologists,
pharmacists and GPs.
The conference was a great
opportunity to network and put
faces to names and voices. We can
now visualise those doing such a
great job at the ‘coal face’ reflecting
the passion, level of care and
enthusiasm we have in Gippsland
Services.
Feedback indicated that
participants on the whole were
ready and willing to embrace new
ideas to improve palliative care
for patients. The educational value
was rated highly commending the
speakers and workshop presenters.
Delegates were challenged and
inspired with many saying they
could apply what they learned
to their practice. Feedback also
confirmed that opportunities for
further networking would be
valuable.
Please read the reports and
feedback inside this newsletter.
Thankyou to all who contributed
to another successful conference.
See you next time!
Life & Death
Matters –the
whole person
Gippsland Palliative
Care Conference
GIPPSLAND REGION PALLIATIVE CARE CONSORTIUM NEWSLETTER NO.16 WINTER 2011

Maggie Goss –Regional
Volunteer Support, GRPCC
Some may be surprised that one of the
highlights for me at the conference was the
tour of the William Buckland Radiotherapy
Unit.
I found the whole experience confronting
and at times felt quite overwhelmed
emotionally as I listened to the process of
undergoing radiotherapy which many of the
palliative clients we support must endure.
However, the whole tour was very organized,
informative and I was
most impressed by
the patient centered
approach to this
mode of treatment
in Traralgon. As
I listened to the
presenter explain the
I found the
whole experience
confronting and at
times I felt quite
overwhelmed
emotionally...
process around the creation and use of the
mask for radiotherapy clients, I found myself
holding back tears as I reflected on many of
the clients I have supported post this type
of treatment, some so traumatized by the
process that they suffered post traumatic
stress.
In summary, this tour was a fantastic
learning experience and I now feel informed
about the whole process enabling me to
support clients about to undergo radiotherapy
at the William Buckland Radiotherapy
unit. The staff attitude towards the client’s
individual needs which in some instances are
often secondary to the process was positive.
Big gold star for effort. I also love the
beautiful “butterfly” display hanging from
the ceiling for clients to see while having
treatment.
Life & Death
Matters –the
whole person
Gippsland Palliative
Care Conference
27–28 May 2011
Robyn Butler –Practice Nurse,
Leongatha Medical Group
I came away from the Palliative Care
Conference inspired and encouraged after
listening to Catherine Crock and parent
advocates Julie and Sue. Having recently
been on a journey with my husband through
the public health care system, it gave me
hope that things
will change and that
‘patient centered
care’ is a possibility.
It is more than
unfortunate that in
2011 patients/family
need to facilitate and
advocate in a medical
I encourage
all health
professionals
to adopt the
principles of
‘Listening” and
‘giving the patient
a seat at the table’
system that is not structured to give them a
voice and partnership in care.
I am fortunate to work in General Practice
where patient centered care is a reality and
I encourage all health professionals to adopt
the principles of ‘Listening” and ‘giving the
patient a seat at the table’. The reward is
financial (as proven by Catherine) but more
importantly patient health outcomes are
greatly improved.
Over 150 people attended the the 4th Annual
Gippsland Palliative Care Conference on 27-28 May
2011. The Conference attracted participants from
across Gippsland and provided delegates with expert
keynote speakers and a full program of workshops.
Some reports and feedback are included here.
Conference proceedings and most speaker’s papers
are available at www.gha.net.au/GRPCC.
Amanda Blandford –
Integrated Care Coordinator,
Bairnsdale Regional Health
Service
I was inspired by the conference and so
pleased I went. Following the conference
colleagues have met after hours with the
intention of formulating a group called
East Gippsland Palliative Care network. So
far we have representatives from acute,
community and residential aged care all
focused on palliative care and patient
centred care. Not sure exactly where we
are heading but we have some wonderful,
knowledgeable people on board. One
of the most inspiring speakers for me was
Dr Crock who spoke about the changes
she made at the RCH. I think the parents
had the most impact on me. The Human
Room was very inspiring and we are in
the process of doing something similar
in the hospital setting. I also believe that
the paging system is being looked at for
oncology patients.
Feedback...
Just keep on
doing the
brilliant job
and bringing
these wonderful
speakers to
share with us.
Would love to
see the human
room.
–says AHP
Patient centred
approach is so
worthwhile!
Can change
systems!
–says doctor
Conference Keynote Speakers (L-R) Dr Odette Spruyt. Dr Ben Hindson. Dr Catherine Crock. Dr Michael Barbarto
...doctors
especially need
to be trained in
Palliative Care
–says doctor
...there is no
such thing as
an unconscious
state - Cool!
–says doctor
...pain and
symptom relief
benefits for
palliation >
amazing stats.
–says med
student
GIPPSLAND REGION PALLIATIVE CARE CONSORTIUM NEWSLETTER NO.16 WINTER 2011

Sue Allen –Nurse, West
Gippsland Healthcare Group
Dr Catherine Crock’s presentation about
her experiences with Family Centred Care
was fascinating. I hardly moved throughout
her presentation except to maybe lean a little
closer. I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss
anything she or the two renegade mums she
brought with her said. I found these three
speakers to be delightful, inspiring and dedicated
women.
Catherine talked openly about her
journey into developing a Family Centered
Care approach at
the Royal Childrens
Hospital. She was
very honest about
the areas of her work
that needed to be
changed and how she
went about this with
a group of dedicated
parents.
I hardly moved
throughout [this]
presentation
except to maybe
lean a little closer.
I wanted to make
sure I didn’t miss
anything said...
Catherine was a GP and mother of five
children living at Cape Patterson and working
part-time at the Royal Children’s Hospital in
Melbourne. Catherine was aware of the difficulties
children and parents faced in relation
to their treatments which was confirmed by
the nurses in one unit. The room children
attended for these painful procedures was
now soundproof so their screaming couldn’t
be heard outside the room. Catherine was
very honest as she told her audience about
culture on some of the wards which needed
to be turned around. She faced opposition
from colleagues and other healthcare professionals.
This became very evident when she
wanted to introduce change in the delivery
of healthcare to children. These changes
included giving children anaesthetics prior
to Lumbar Punctures and Bone Marrow
aspirates and the playing of soothing music
in waiting and procedure rooms as well as
providing easy to understand information
(including video) about procedures responding
directly to the needs of parents and
children.
Catherine also relayed the importance
of involving parents and family members in
the decision making process. Parents were
encouraged to become actively involved in
hospital committees which was not without
it’s own difficulties. One of the parents
on the committee reported that she was
speaking “Duck” when everyone else was
speaking “Goose”. Parents were actively
involved in the development of the music
and video resources (segments of which were
featured at the conference)
She was advised not to fraternise with
the “vocal, difficult parents” Two of these
“difficult” parents presented at the conference
with Catherine. We were able to listen
to the perspective from mums who had
desperately ill children. As a mum, I listened
to their stories with a lump in my throat and
thought that I would want these determined,
resilient, courageous women on my team if
I ever had a sick child. We listened to one of
the mums, who was also a nurse, talk about
the challenges of traversing the health
system. Even with her health background
this was a challenging process which you
wonder how those without medical knowledge
manage.
Catherine was awarded a Churchill Fellowship
which took her on a research trip to
the USA. She shared her findings with us on
Family Centered Care and it’s delivery in the
United States. One hospital had developed
gardens that could be seen from windows
in corridors and rooms. And for those well
enough, they were able to sit in or wander
through this tranquil setting. Another innovative
idea which would be of great value in
every work place, was a traffic light system
which monitored noise levels. Lights were
set up in clearly visible areas and if it was
green then the noise was at an acceptable
level. Amber was an indicator that the noise
level was getting too high and red meant
that everyone had to quieten down. It was
said that studies have shown that when
noise levels are kept to a minimum there
was greater staff satisfaction, less medication
errors and quicker patient recovery in a calm
quiet environment, which ultimately leads to
cost savings of the health dollar.
The talk on Family Centered Care for me
was engaging, funny, moving and thought
provoking. Dr Crock was instrumental in
setting up the ‘HUSH‘ collection of music
CDs. Music on the CD’s is a collaboration
from many talented musicians and plays
throughout the Children’s Hospital. This has
raised a significant amount of funding for
the RCH and is now being incorporated into
many other Children’s wards across Australia.
online...
View Conference proceedings at
www.gha.net.au/GRPCC. See the inspiring
video segment of the RCH patient centred
approach developed by Dr Catherine Crock.
Conference Workshop Presenters and participants (L–R)
Louise Cristofaro (GRICS) & Dr Brian McDonald. Jo Kelly and Bronwyn Williams with colleagues from Bass Coast Community Health. Mary Ross-Heazlewood, Amanda Blandford, Efterpi Soropos
Great
interaction
and good
discussions on
case study.
–says allied
health
professional
Be Brave, ask
questions,
challenge
routines to
better provide
patient centred
care
–says nurse
Interesting
discussion on
the unconscious
state that
challenged
some current
beliefs.
–says nurse
Very good
information
can use in daily
practice
–says nurse
Thankyou to
the conference
delegates for
these reports
and valuable
feedback. We
look forward to
meeting you all
again soon.
–says GRPCC
GIPPSLAND REGION PALLIATIVE CARE CONSORTIUM NEWSLETTER NO.16 WINTER 2011

Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner Candidates
From the middle of August there will be three Nurse Practitioner Candidate in Gippsland
Jo Kelly from Southern region, and Jenny Turra from Central West
region will soon be joined by Nicola Gorwell from the Eastern region.
Throughout her nursing career Nicola has been working predominantly
in Palliative Care in both community and inpatient settings in
metro areas, but has more recently been working at Orbost, Mallacoota
and Cann River undertaking a more diverse role while continuing
to utilize her palliative care expertise.
Nicola will be employed by Gippsland Lakes Community Health
but her role will cover the East Gippsland region.
Introducing Jenny Turra
Nurse Practitioner Candidate – Central west region
Jenny Turra was recently appointed as the Nurse Practitioner
Candidate at Latrobe Community Health Service for the Central West
Gippsland region. Jenny is working towards being an endorsed
Nurse Practitioner in palliative care. This includes completing a
Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) through Flinders University.
Jenny will be provided with local workplace training and mentoring
and will also spend time with specialised palliative care services in
Melbourne. She is currently working with the Palliative Care team from
Calvary Healthcare Bethlehem in improving better access to specialist palliative care services in
Gippsland.
Once endorsed as a Nurse Practitioner, Jenny will be able to work independently at the
highest clinical level in nursing. This means that Jenny will be able to:
• perform advanced physical assessments
• order relevant tests and interpret the results of these tests
• work with the palliative care specialist
• prescribe a limited range of medications and write scripts
These high level skills and knowledge will help provide services to clients who have complex
physical, social, psychological, and/or spiritual needs.
GRPCC Clinical Practice Group
membership update
Cheryl Bush
Dr Jane Fischer
Dr Brian McDonald
Vacant
Jenny Turra
Maryanne Bills
Rachelle McKay
Dr Liz Wearne
Nicola Gorwell
Sandy Joiner
Dr Bronwyn Williams
Jo Kelly
Megan Daly
Rosie Steele
Marg Bogart
Vicki Doherty
Mary Ross-Heazlewood
Anny Byrne
Judy Coombe
Chair
Palliative Care Physician (Calvary Health Care Bethlehem)
Palliative Care Physician (Peninsula Health)
Central West Region GPs
Central West Region Nurse Practitioner Candidate (Latrobe CHS)
Central West Region (West Gippsland Healthcare Group)
Central West Region (Latrobe CHS)
Eastern Region GPs
Eastern Region Nurse Practitioner Candidate (Gippsland Lakes CH)
Eastern Region
Southern Region GPs
Southern Region Nurse Practitioner Candidate (Bass Coast CHS)
Southern Region (KooWeeRup RHS)
Southern Region Allied Health (Gippsland Lakes CH)
Divisions of GP (Central West Gippsland DGP)
GRPCC Manager
GRPCC Project Worker
GRPCC Project Worker
GRPCC Admin Support
A palliative care nurse practitioner candidate is a registered nurse
engaged by a service/organisation as they work toward meeting the
academic (eg approved NP Masters) and clinical requirements for
endorsement as a Nurse Practitioner. The actual period of candidature
varies in length according to the individuals requirements in attaining
and consolidating competence at the level of a nurse practitioner.
The essential components for effective skill development of the nurse
practitioner candidate include mentorship in terms of medical and
senior nursing support, management skills and clinical teaching.
For more information about the Clinical
Practice Group contact Cheryl Bush
cherylb@glch.org.au
Monash University
Short Course
Graduates of Introduction to
Palliative Care Short Course
The presentation ceremony for graduates
of the Introduction to Palliative Care
Short Course at Monash University was
held on 29 July at the Churchill campus.
GRPCC staff members Anthony Hooper
and Mary Ross-Heazlewood were pleased
to attend and Anthony is seen here receiving
acknowledgement of support of the
GRPCC from Dr Susan Lee.
Anthony says “this course represents
an effective collaboration in improving
the capacity of health care providers to
support people approaching end of life
and their families”.
Mary reported “it seemed fitting that
it was Anthony’s last ‘duty’ as GRPCC
Manager and I just wanted you to know
how valued the short course is to the
participants and to the generalist health
workforce within the Gippsland region as
word spreads about this undergraduate
course”.
For more details contact Mary Ross-
Heazlewood
The Gippsland Region Palliative Care Consortium (GRPCC)
newsletter “Life and Death Matters” aims to establish a framework for
promoting and delivering high quality palliative health care services in
partnership with clients, carers, families and the community into the
next decade and beyond for the people in Gippsland Region.
The opinions expressed in “Life and Death Matters” are those of
contributors and not necessarily shared by the GRPCC or its individual
member health services. The Department of Health provides GRPCC
with core operational funding. “Life and Death Matters” is produced
quarterly and distributed free of charge. To subscribe, email your
contact details to grpcc@gha.net.au
The “Life and Death Matters” editorial group is Vicki Doherty
(Manager, GRPCC), Steve Kirkbright (Design & Production); with regular
contributors Anny Byrne, Maggie Goss, Mary Ross-Heazlewood, Toine
Bovill, member health services and friends of GRPCC.
Letters to the editor are welcome. Please email these to:
grpcc@gha.net.au or send to: The Editor “Life and Death Matters” c/-
West Gippsland Healthcare Group 41 Landsborough St Warragul 3820
Victoria Australia. Phone (03) 5623 0684
“Life and Death Matters” articles are identified against the relevant
GRPCC priority area. For more details please refer to the GRPCC
Regional Plan available on the website or contact the Consortium
Manager Vicki Doherty.
GIPPSLAND REGION PALLIATIVE CARE CONSORTIUM NEWSLETTER NO.16 WINTER 2011