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PALLIATIVE CARE
AUSTRALIA NEWS
AUTUMN EDITION 2006

CONTENTS
3 Presidents Report
5 PCA National Office report
7 PCA Project Update
10 General News
12 PCA Member Organisations Contacts
Palliative Care Australia
Suite 2, 37 Geils Court, Deakin ACT 2600
PO Box 24, Deakin West ACT 2600
The views expressed in Palliative Care Australia News
are not necessarily those of Palliative Care Australia, or
of the Australian Government Department of Health
and Ageing. This edition of Palliative Care Australia
News is available online at www.pallcare.org.au
Palliative Care Australia welcomes material for
this newsletter from clinicians, service managers,
academics, consumers, carers, and members of the
public. Submissions in the form of letters, articles,
items for the calendar, or notices of other activities can
be emailed to pcainc@pallcare.org.au
The preferred format for submissions is by email and
all items submitted should be factual, accurate and
referenced as required. Articles should be no longer than
750 words. Palliative Care Australia reserves the right to
make editorial or stylistic changes to submitted copy.
QUICK NEWS
• The Singapore Hospice Council will be holding its 2nd
Biennial Scientific Meeting 24 - 25 March 2006. Overseas
faculty will include Professor Linda Kristjanson from
Edith Cowan University in Perth. The brochure can also
be downloaded at www.singaporehospice.org.sg.
• Dates have been finalised for the 9 th Australian Palliative
Care Conference. The conference will be held in
Melbourne from 28 August – 31 August 2007. The theme
of the conference is: ‘Partners Across Caring’. For more
information please contact Palliative Care Victoria on 03
9662 9644 or info@pallcarevic.asn.au
• The new Federal Government Ministry has been
announced with 3 changes in the three portfolio areas of
interest to PCA business:
Senator Santo Santoro (Qld) will replace Julie Bishop
as Minister for Ageing. The Hon Mal Brough is the
new Minister for Families, Community Services and
Indigenous Affairs, and The Hon Jon Cobb is the new
Minister for Community Services.
• State Palliative Care Volunteers Conference - 19 May 2006 @
Fullarton Park Community Centre, South Australia. The
Palliative Care Council of South Australia will host the
Conference. An online registration form can be accessed
at www.pallcare.asn.au Please contact Robyn Rouvray at
PCCSA on 08 8291 4137 or rrouvray@pallcare.asn.au for
more information.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
16 – 17 May 2006
Empowering Individuals and Families in the Human
Services, National Policy Conference, Melbourne,
Victoria, http://www.partnerships.org.au/
PolicyConference2006.htm
19 May 2006
South Australian State Palliative Care Volunteers
Conference, Adelaide, South Australia,
www.pallcare.asn.au
21 – 27 May 2006
National Palliative Care Week, pcainc@pallcare.org.au
8 – 12 July 2006
UICC World Cancer Congress, Washington DC, USA,
http://www.2006conferences.org
11 – 16 July 2006
ICMDA XIII World Congress, Sydney, NSW,
http://www.tourhosts.com.au/icmda2006
8 – 9 September 2006
Palliative Care Nurses Australia Conference, Melbourne,
Victoria, pcainc@pallcare.org.au
7 October 2006
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2006,
www.worldday.org
28 - 31 August 2007
9th Australian Palliative Care Conference, Melbourne,
info@pallcarevic.asn.au
2

PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Welcome to the Autumn
2006 edition of PCA News.
With the New Year upon
us, 2006 is already shaping
up as another excellent year
for achievements across
the palliative care sector,
supported by our peak body,
Palliative Care Australia.
The work of our sector
in 2005 was of such a
Professor David Currow, President,
Palliative Care Australia
high standard that seven Australians received Order of
Australia Medals for their services in palliative care. These
people are: Beris Bird (Vic), Ann Aichroy (NSW), Rosalyn
Glow (Vic), Margaret Graham (SA), Susan Miller (NSW),
Michael Noel (NSW), and Dora Thomson (Tas). I wish to
extend my congratulations to these recipients and thank
them for their outstanding commitment and services to
their communities and the palliative care sector. It is very
pleasing to have the extraordinary efforts of our colleagues
recognised in this way.
This year, PCA is embarking on a new program of activities
to further understand and strengthen the integration
of the primary care and palliative care sectors. This
program involves a series of seven subprojects, focussing
on different aspects of education in opioid therapy and
palliative care awareness. A detailed brief of this program
is in this edition of PCA news.
The goals achieved to date in integrating the aged care
and palliative care sectors, through the Introducing the
Guidelines for a Palliative Approach in Residential Aged
Care Facilities projects has received a further boost. I am
pleased to report that the Guidelines have been endorsed
for a second edition by the National Health and Medical
Research Council (NHMRC), a virtually unprecedented
achievement. I wish to acknowledge Professor Linda
Krisjansen and her team at the Edith Cowan University.
The 2nd second edition of these Guidelines will be
distributed shortly.
One project which has concluded is the paediatric palliative
care project. This project culminated in the launch of
Journeys – Palliative Care for Children and Teenagers, at the
Bear Cottage Children’s Hospice in Sydney. I had the
privilege of attending this launch with Dr John Collins. We
are very encouraged by the reports of how well Journeys
has been received by
health professionals,
families and carers. The
PCA website has a link
to ensure easy access to
this resource.
Of course the project
work undertaken by
PCA forms only a
component of the total
work by the palliative
care sector, resourced through the National Palliative Care
Program. This program allocated a total of $55 million
over 4 years and concludes on 30 June 2006. While news
on future funding allocations will not be known until
the Federal Budget in May this year, I recommend that
everyone reflects on the incredible range of activities that
have been successfully delivered across the priority areas
of this program:
- better access to medicines
- support for families and the community
- building the workforce
- models of care across the country
- building the evidence,
- building and using the information.
An article outlining the current activities under the
National Palliative Care Programs is in this edition of
PCA news.
I confirm that the PCA Executive have appointed an
interim Executive Director, Donna Daniell, following the
resignation of Ms Angela Magarry. I wish to formally
acknowledge the efforts Angela made whilst in the role
and thank her for her commitment to PCA and palliative
care in Australia.
I look forward to PCA Council meeting in Canberra for
our first meeting of 2006 to be held in March. PCA Council
members from all over Australia will meet to discuss PCA’s
strategic direction and policy. I invite you to contact PCA
or your PCA member organisation to discuss your views
and aspirations for the sector.
Finally I wish you well in your planning endeavours for
National Palliative Care Week from 21 May 2006 and
thank everyone for their ongoing support.
Professor David Currow
President
Palliative Care Australia
Dr John Collins and Professor David
Currow at the launch of Journeys:
Palliative Care for Children and Teenagers
3

INTERVIEW WITH
MICHAEL NOEL, OAM
With Linda Hansen, Executive
Officer, Palliative Care NSW
I recently had the great pleasure of interviewing palliative
care’s most recent inductee into the Australia Day Honours
List – Dr Michael Noel, OAM. Dr Noel has had a very
long association with palliative care and is the Immediate
Past President of Palliative Care NSW.
Dr Noel is currently Staff Specialist Palliative Care
Physician at Nepean Hospital and Director, Palliative
Care, Nepean Cancer Care Centre, Penrith NSW.
Dr Noel’s extracurricular activities have included the
following:
• Committee Member, Palliative Care NSW 1992 – 2005
• President, Palliative Care NSW 2003, 2004
• NSW nominee on Council of Palliative Care Australia
• Board member of The Cancer Council, NSW 1997– 2005
• Councillor, AMA NSW 1999 - 2005
• Vice President of Outstretched Hand Foundation
• Board Member, Uniting Church Retirement Village (25 yrs)
• Chair, Uniting Church Retirement Village (2 yrs)
LH Let’s start off with the obvious question – why did
you get into palliative care?
MN I think everyone who gets into palliative has their
own story to tell. I was a GP when my wife, Barbara,
developed cancer in the mid 70’s. She had a mastectomy
and then in 1980 she had a recurrence and underwent
chemotherapy but she died that year. That process was
very difficult – management of her symptoms was difficult
– she had pain but she also had breathlessness. Palliative
care wasn’t a highly developed discipline in those days
and in fact there were very few people involved. Most
notably was Theresa Plane, who owned Mt Carmel Private
Hospital in Seven Hills. She donated 2 of her private beds
to palliative care. Her contribution to palliative care in her
lifetime should be recognised.
She went on to establish the ‘Outstretched Hand’
Foundation’, which published a lot of literature for use by
palliative care practitioners and patients and that went on
for many years.
Anyway, we took Barbara to Mt Carmel for a couple of
days and there I was introduced to ‘fixed interval variable
dosed’ morphine along with a few other things that
caught my eye.
Barbara spent 2 or 3 days in Mt Carmel
and then returned home where she
died two days later.
So it was after that I developed an
interest in palliative care. I attended
a couple of educational meetings
that Theresa ran. She brought Balfour
Mount out to Australia in about 1982!
He was just electrifying. And then we
Dr Michael Noel, OAM
talked to our health administrators in
Penrith and we were allocated 5 beds in a state-run nursing
home and started looking after terminally ill patients in the
early 80’s. We were looking after about 100 patients a year
there through those five beds. Most GPs would manage 2-
4 people who died a year so it was a significant workload.
It just grew from there. At that stage I was still delivering
babies so I had both ends of the spectrum covered – cradle
to grave!
Palliative care has been very fortunate to have been
supported by all sides of government at both federal and
state levels. I believe that Australia has one of the best
palliative care systems in the world. I don’t think we can
doubt that every person in this country who wants to
access palliative care can do so.
In Penrith, we started off with a palliative care community
nurse and the service grew from there. We got a doctor
and then I gave up general practice and became a full time
palliative care doctor.
LH That must have been a difficult decision!
MN Yes it was – and you really have to want to do it for a
number of reasons.
LH How long have you been at Nepean as full time
palliative care practitioner?
MN I was part time for 2 years and full time for the last 10
– so 12 years all up!
LH How did you hear about the award?
MN Well I received a letter saying I’d been nominated,
then another letter around Christmas to say that I’d be
awarded a medal! I was absolutely astonished to receive
that letter, I can tell you!
LH It’s a great thing for you but it’s also a great thing for
palliative care. Congratulations. What are you going to do
with your new letters?
MN Well I’m having a little break from committee work
and such – and we’ll see what happens. I need to work on
the farm for a while – but if there’s work to do, then I’ll
be back.
LH Oh there’ll always be work to do!
4

PCA NATIONAL
OFFICE REPORT
Happy New Year to you all and welcome
to the first newsletter for 2006.
The achievements in 2005 have paved
the way for this year to be full of fresh
opportunities to further support the
extraordinary efforts of members of our
palliative care sector.
Donna Daniell, the National Projects
Manager at PCA, has agreed to serve
as Acting Executive Director until further notice. Donna
brings significant health policy, management and lobbying
experience to the role and is looking forward to representing
the aspirations of the palliative care sector to the best of
her ability.
This year our work, through the Standards and Quality
Subcommittee, on introducing the Standards for Quality in Palliative
Care for all Australians, will continue, following the completion
of the highly successful Skills Building workshop series in
late 2005. PCA will continue to collaborate with the sector
to achieve our priorities in the strengthening the adoption,
measurement and integration of the Standards.
The theme of collaboration – with key health sector stakeholders
will become increasingly dominant during 2006. Coinciding
with PCA Council in March, PCA will host – “Partners in
Palliative Care – How are we doing? This discussion forum will
involve around 25 representatives from major health peak
organisations together with our 20 PCA Council Members,
and is an important component in PCA’s Strategic Plan
review. The aim is to listen to players – outside our sector
- to test how well PCA has achieved the objectives of fostering
improvements in the Equity, Access and Quality in palliative
care services across Australia and to identify opportunities for
working together.
The plans for the 2006 National Palliative Care week and the
theme “Partners in Care” are in the final throws of completion
by PCA’s Promotion and Marketing Committee. We look
forward to working with all PCA member organisations for
these series of events from 21 – 27 May 2006. To get involved
contact your state and territory organisation via the PCA
website or the details in this edition.
This year is poised to see new information on government
policy and funding priorities as the result of the review of the
National Palliative Care Program.
One key performance expectation of Palliative Care Australia
is to represent the interests of the palliative care sector and
community with skill and confidence. Accordingly, the three
factors for success are to have
- Clearly articulated strategies that fit the environment
(informed by our strategic review).
- Strong alliances with organisations that share our vision
(informed by our discussion forum).
- Skills in managing communication and relationship
networks. (lead by PCA Executive and team).
Commensurate with the value of palliative care to the
Australian community, the breadth of our representation
activities is large and in this endeavour PCA has many targets
for its important work in policy development and political
lobbying. These include the commonwealth government
portfolio areas of Health and Ageing, Family, Community
Services and Indigenous Affairs, Human Services, Employment
and Workforce Relations and Education and Training.
PCA aims to keep you informed on the developments in this
important area.
A major feature for this year is also the delivery of significant
projects that aim to strengthen the recognition and support
for palliative care in our target sectors of aged care and
primary care. PCA’s performance in the aged care project has
been recognised with an exciting expansion of this projects,
following the successful management of the over 1800 staff
from residential aged care facilities across Australia, who
participated in the national training workshop series. PCA is
pleased to have appointed additional project team members
to support this important work. See later in this edition for
details of the projects, announcement on the aged care project,
as well as an introduction to the PCA team members.
The Federal Government has also put an initiative in place
to enable better palliative care services throughout Australia.
A three phase grants program has been implemented and is
aimed at providing organisations with the finances to upgrade
their existing equipment, strengthen pastoral care and improve
palliative care services. So far over 70 organisations have
received funding through the grants program. Further details
can be found later in this newsletter.
PCA looks forward to representing the palliative care sector in
2006. Please contact us, or your state and territory organisation
as all feedback is gratefully received.
Enjoy the colours of Autumn – wherever you may be!
PCA Team
Autumn 2006
5

PCA PROJECT UPDATE
A significant component of PCA’s work in the palliative
care sector is the stewardship and management of key
national projects. By targeting a range of priority areas,
these projects contribute collectively to the implementation
of the National Palliative Care Program.
The following update provides details of the current
projects.
A Palliative Approach In
Residential Aged Care Project
Aim
The project aims to
introduce the Guidelines
for a Palliative Approach in
Residential Aged Care to the
aged care sector.
Timeline
May 2005 – July 2006
Achievements to date
• production of training resource kits to support training
delivery
• engagement of seven organisations and training of
personnel to deliver workshops for residential aged
care facility staff
• engagement of 45 members of the Aged Care Learning
and Networking group to foster the adoption of a
palliative approach by managers in the sector
• establishment of an online bulletin board to support
ongoing discussion and learning in the sector
• development of a web-based evaluation database
• launch of the National Workshops by the Hon Julie
Bishop, Minister for Ageing, at the ACSA National
Conference 12 Sept 05, Canberra
• completion of 100 percent of the 250 scheduled
workshops across Australia, attended by 3000 staff
members from residential aged care facilities
• 29 workshops specifically developed for Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander aged care facilities - 100%
complete
• development of a self directed learning package
Next Steps
Palliative Care Australia, in partnership with the aged
care sector, will be conducting 40 one day Regional
Network Forums across Australia in April and May of
this year. These Forums will provide an opportunity for
Residential Aged Care Palliative Approach Network
members to develop clinical skills in a palliative approach
and network with other aged care staff.
Getting involved – same as last one
Further information on the Palliative Approach in RACFs
workshops can be found at the PCA website at www.
pallcare.org.au or by contacting Dr Karen Cooper, Project
Officer, Palliative Care Australia, ph: 02 6232 4433 or on
karen@pallcare.org.au.
Supporting Primary Care Providers
In Palliative Care Project
Aim
This project encompasses a series of integrated activities
that aim to better support the involvement of General
Practitioners in Palliative Care. The outcomes being
pursued include:
• Improve GPs’ knowledge and confidence in prescribing
opioids in palliative care.
• Collect data nationally that could be used as a basis for
implementing a 1800 number for GPs.
• Address barriers to opioid use.
• Facilitate data collection and ‘take up’ of resources by
GPs.
• Engage work colleagues in the community to support
patients receiving palliative care, their family and
caregivers.
• Raise awareness of palliative care in the general
community.
Activities
The six key deliverables for this project include:
Establishment of National and State and Territory
advisory groups
- To establish an advisory collaboration with Carers Australia,
Australian Divisions of General Practice and State Health
Department Palliative Care sections and PCA,
Consumer Brochure – Opioid myths
- To develop and disseminate a consumer brochure to
address the myths that become barriers for optimal
opioid therapy utilisation
Online Training for GP’s – Opioids
- To develop and disseminate an accredited, endorsed
online training for GP’s on the use of opioid therapy in
Palliative Care
6

Information gathering – 1800 feasibility
- To gather information from GP’s and Palliative Care
Services on the gaps in information services to support
GP’s in palliative care and test the feasibility of a 1800
telephone service to link GP’s with specialist palliative
care services.
Palliative Care Information kits / General Practice
Education kits
- Development and dissemination of information kits
to promote awareness of range of resources to support
linkage between Palliative Care services and increased
participation.
National Palliative Care Week
- To celebrate achievements in Palliative Care and increase
awareness across all segments of the community.
Work Colleague Email Strategy.
- To test an innovative online link to increase awareness of
resources to support people that are living with; caring
for; or working with someone living with or caring for.
Timeline:
January – June 2006
Next Steps
To implement all activities to coincide with National
Palliative Care Week
For further information
Contact Camilla Rowland,
PCA National Project Manager
Ph: 02 6232 4433
E: Camilla@pallcare.org.au
Paediatric Palliative Care Project
Project Aim
The Paediatric Palliative Care
Project aims to develop a
resource guide for paediatric
palliative care which includes
information about existing
resources such as booklets,
books and videos, and points
to services and facilities
currently available for children
with a life-liming illness, their
families and peers.
Timeline
June 2004 – January 2006. Journeys is currently being
disseminated across Australia.
Achievements to date
Journeys – Palliative Care for Children and Teenagers
was launched in December 2006 following the
development of a successful pilot by a team of
professionals and consumers Journeys is currently being
disseminated across Australia.
Getting involved
Further information on this project can be found by
contacting Fiona Couchman on 02 6232 4433 or at
Fiona@pallcare.org.au.
Standards & Quality Project
Project Aim
This project has two aims: to
deliver a set of national standards
which are reflective of current
good practice in palliative care
service provision and national/
state frameworks, and; to improve
understanding and education on
quality processes and improve
consumer access to information
on service quality.
Timeline
February 2004 – March 2006
Achievements to date
• finalisation, of the National Palliative Care Standards 4th
Edition
• launch of the new Standards
• production of a brochure entitled Standards for
Providing Quality Palliative Care for all Australians:
Patient Rights & Responsibilities
• delivery of a series of 14 national Awareness
workshops in all capital cities and Cairns, Bundaburg,
Newcastle, Dubbo, Bendigo, and Alice Springs, with
over 742 registrants, and 660 participants.
• development of the Quality Resource Guide that includes
information and tools to support sector members and
enable the adoption of the Standards
• delivery of 7 national Skills Building workshops in
Brisbane, Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide,
Perth and Hobart
Next Steps
Continuing dissemination of the Palliative Care Quality
Resource Guide: A toolkit.
Getting involved
Information on the Palliative Care Standards and copies
of Standards for Providing Quality Palliative Care for all
Australians: Patient Rights & Responsibilities, can be found
at www.pallcare.org.au or by contacting Anna Picker at
02 6232 4433 or at anna@pallcare.org.au.
7

THE NATIONAL PALLIATIVE CARE PROGRAM – MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Better access to
medications
Support for
families and the
community
Building the
workforce
Models of care
across the
country
Building the
evidence
Building and using
the information
PBS listings for
palliative care
medications
CARING
COMMUNITIES
PEPA
Nurses, GPs,
Allied Health,
RURAL PC
PROGRAM
KNOWLEDGE
NETWORK
PALLIATIVE
CARE OUTCOMES
COLLABORATION
Opioid
medication
management in
palliative care
Respite for
palliative care Residential Aged
Care (APRAC)
Community
Awareness events
& activities
Indigenous
resource kit
PAEDIATRIC
INDIGENOUS
CARESEARCH
NHMRC Research
Program
Admitted Pt
NMDS
Performance
Indicators
Access,
Awareness and
quality use of
medicines for
palliative care
Equipment
Program
Model for PC
Volunteers in
Aged Care
Bereavement –
building the
evidence
Respecting
Patient Choices
program
UNDERGRADUATE
CURRICULUM
POSTGRADUATE
COURSES
Scoping the needs of
Palliative care patients
living at home without a
carer Clinical Diploma
in Palliative
Medicine for GPs
STANDARDS &
QUALITY
State & Territory
reform program
Enhanced
Primary Care
Trial for pain
management
Ethics guide
Evaluation
guide
Guidelines for
needs-based
assessment &
referral
Community
Minimum Data
Set
Activity
Implementation
Report
8

PALLIATIVE CARE IN THE
NORTHERN TERRITORY
The Year 2005 marks an important time in the development of
Palliative Care in the Northern Territory. These developments
have been made possible through funding provided by both
the Northern Territory Government and the Australian
Government Department of Health and Ageing.
The first Director of Palliative Medicine for the Northern
Territory, Dr Mark Boughey, commenced in March 2005.
Dr Boughey, formally Director of Palliative Care at Royal
Melbourne Hospital, is a well-credentialed and respected
Specialist, whose significant experience will assist in
fashioning the future development of palliative care
services in the Northern Territory. His goal is to build on
the last 10 years when palliative care has been available
in the NT, with a view to improving access and broader
equity in service provision. In May 2005, the Northern
Territory Palliative Care Strategy for 2005-2009 was
launched. This is another important milestone for the
Territory.
The first Hospice in Darwin opened on 26 August 2005.
The Hospice provides people with a life-limiting illness,
specialised care in a supportive and peaceful environment.
The facility is a 12-bed purpose built unit, which is both
functionally and culturally appropriate for the population it
serves. It is co-located on the grounds of the Royal Darwin
Hospital. In the first 2 months of operation, care was
provided to 25 patients and their families.
The Programme of Experience in a Palliative Approach
(PEPA) has had a positive impact across the NT.
Numerous primary service providers, including from
rural and remote areas, have undertaken placements and
participated in workshops. The result has been a workforce
with increased knowledge and skills about palliative care
and ultimately patients receive better care.
Finally, the Indigenous Practice Principles Project aims
to develop palliative care resources specific to the region
and raise awareness of palliative care amongst Indigenous
Australians. In the NT, the Project Officers have developed
a companion guide to the Resource Kit that was produced
by Wodonga TAFE, including artwork, photographs
and case studies from the region. This companion guide
is based upon the NT Aboriginal palliative care model.
An animated PowerPoint presentation has also been
developed that will be produced as a DVD. This resource
will use music, photographs and video clips from the
NT to educate and support health care providers in the
provision of palliative care to Indigenous people.
NATIONAL PALLIATIVE
CARE PROGRAM
The National Palliative Care Program has been reviewed
and the current funding arrangements are in the final
months of delivery. Everyone in the Palliative Care sector
will have undoubtedly been involved in many activities
and the significant achievements under this program.
The following diagram illustrates the 6 priority area themes
and the names of the project. For further information
please visit www.health.gov.au/palliativecare
PCA is eagerly looking forward to learning of the next
funding arrangements and federal government policy
priorities for palliative care in the Federal Budget this
May and will keep you informed.
PALLIATIVE CARE
MEDICINES WORKING
GROUP
A workshop in February has established a team of people
who will be working to increase the awareness of the
medicines available for patients under the Palliative Care
Section of the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS)
This special section of the PBS has recognised the different
types and quantities of medicines that are required by
palliative patients and has established a mechanism for
doctors to access these medicines with additional cost
subsidy benefits under the PBS.
For example, a palliative patient is able to obtain an initial
supply of Oxazepam 30mg x 50 tablets with 3 repeats,
where anxiety is a problem and where consultation with
a palliative care specialist or service has occurred. Their
doctor contacts Medicare Australia for an authority to
prescribe these quantities under the PBS. These new
arrangements go a long way to reduce the cost and access
issues for palliative patients.
For a full list of medicines available under this scheme,
please visit www.health.gov.au
9

PROGRAM OF EXPERIENCE
IN THE PALLIATIVE
APPROACH (PEPA)
The Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach (PEPA)
is an initiative of the Australian Government Department
of Health and Ageing’s National Palliative Care Program.
PEPA aims to improve the quality, availability and access to
palliative care for people who are dying and their families.
To achieve this aim, PEPA provides workforce placements
and structured learning experiences to develop the capacity
of health care professionals to deliver a palliative care
approach.
PEPA has been developed and implemented in two parts.
PEPA 1 commenced in 2003 and provides placements for nurses
and allied health professionals from primary health settings
within specialist palliative care services to gain knowledge,
skills and experience in the palliative approach to care. PEPA
2 commenced in 2005 and involves: (a) clinical placements
with specialist palliative care services and structured learning
experiences for GPs and rural and remote medical officers,
and (b) clinical placements for specialist palliative care staff
to develop skills in selected medical specialities.
Over 750 health care practitioners, one-third from rural
settings, have gained knowledge, skills and experience by
completing a PEPA placement.
PEPA is being evaluated using pre and post-placement
participant, employer and palliative care host site surveys.
Interviews are also being conducted with a sample of
participants, employers and host site personnel to collect indepth
descriptive data. To date, respondents to the evaluation
have reported increased confidence in caring for people with
life limiting illness. This enhanced confidence is related to
participants’ perceived improved assessment skills, abilities
to identify and implement interventions and abilities to
communicate with patients, and the formation of links with a
specialist palliative care service if assistance is required. For
example, one participant has commented that:
‘(I am) more confident to discuss issues with the family and
doctor attending to the client…’ and have ‘more contacts
to access necessary information about care and other
resources.’
The formation of links between primary health care providers
and specialist palliative care services is an important
component of PEPA. Participants have indicated that ongoing
contact with the host site has assisted their practice in areas
such as the management of complex clinical and psychosocial
issues. Some host sites have reported that the networks
formed with primary care providers have enhanced referral
pathways and assisted them to gain an insight into the
issues that the primary health providers face. The following
responses from participants provide examples of host site
assistance following the placement:
• We asked the palliative care team to review a resident
who had difficult pain relief problems. They gave us both
support and advice to enhance care delivery.
• Client in end stage motor neurone disease - assistance and
advice regarding management at home now that client
can’t self care anymore (gave advice about) equipment and
carer support.
Other examples provided suggest PEPA is achieving its
goals in terms of enhancing the capacity of primary health
care providers to provide a palliative approach to care. For
example, respondents have reported:
• Open discussions with staff, residents, family and GPs (on)
how to treat residents with life limiting illness. When a
resident had been admitted to hospital we were told that
this person had not long to live. With the assistance of
the palliative care consultant in the hospital and from the
community we were able to have this resident cared for in
her own room and surrounded by the people she loved.
Since the PEPA program we have had two cases like this
and it has been a great experience for the staff, the residents
and the families.
• Improved competence with use of pain relieving medication
– this has also been helpful in managing non-malignant pain
arthritis and osteoporotic fractures. Able to avoid referral to
hospital emergency department.
Further information on PEPA is available at
www.pepaeducation.com
PCA Staff
PCA’s team consists of (left to right): Nicky Reavell, Project
Officer; Catherine Kennedy, National Office Manager; Anna
Picker, Project Officer, Karen Cooper, Project Manager,
Donna Daniell, Acting Executive Director, Cindee
Richardson, Project Manager; Dylan Malloch, Marketing
and Communications Officer; Camilla Rowland, National
Projects Manager; Fiona Couchman, Policy Officer; Stephanie
Bradford, Administrative Assistant.
10

FEDERAL GRANTS
PROGRAM UPDATE
As part of the Strengthening Cancer Care initiative, the Federal
Government announced funding of $23.1 million over four
years (2005/06 through to 2008/09) for a Local Palliative Care
Grants Program (LPCGP) in the 2005/06 Federal Budget.
The LPCGP is aimed at helping local groups such as churches,
charitable hospices and aged care providers to better provide
support to people requiring palliative care and their families.
The Government intents that the LPCGP will build on the
achievements to date of the National Palliative Care Program.
The funding will be distributed through four rounds. These
will be:
1. fit-out of and equipment for premises for palliative patients
2. pastoral care, counselling and support for people needing
palliative care and their families
3. step-down and transition-to-home support
Round two of the funding - pastoral care, counselling and support
- is also completed. Funding has been approved for thirty-two
projects. The total amount of funding for these 32 projects
is $3 million and the amount for individual projects ranges
from $30,000 to $120,000 (GST exclusive). The projects will be
implemented from March 2006 to March 2009.
One organisation which has received funding through
round two of the LPCGP is the Centre for Palliative Care in
Fitzroy, Victoria. The CPC is an academic unit located within
St Vincent’s Health, with formal affiliations to Melbourne
University via the Department of Medicine at St Vincent’s and
the School of Nursing. It concerns itself with undergraduate
and postgraduate teaching, professional development, and
research relevant to the fostering, promotion and critical study
of palliative care.
Round two of the funding will enable the Centre for Palliative
Care to Implement and evaluate a family caregiver education
program in an attempt to lessen caregiver burden. The proposed
education program focuses on preparing caregivers for the role
of supporting a relative or friend who is receiving palliative
4. care plans for patients who are living at home, including
support for health professionals to enable patients to stay
at home.
Funding round one of the Local Palliative Care Grants Program
- fit out and equipping premises and transition to home support - has
now been completed. Funding has been approved for fifty-five
projects: The total amount of funding for these 55 projects is
$4 million and the amount for individual projects ranges from
$30,000 and $100,000 (GST exclusive). The projects will be
implemented over the period December 2005 to December 2006.
One organisation which has received
funding through round one of the
grants program is the Bear Cottage
Children’s Hospice in Manly, NSW.
Bear Cottage was initiated by The
Children’s Hospital at Westmead
in 1988 and the location within St
Patrick’s Estate was found in 1995
and provided the opportunity to
create a ‘beach house’ style facility. This is an ideal location
for children with life limiting illnesses and their families to
holiday and seek respite. The centre was built at a cost of 10
million, and was entirely funded by the community.
Round one of the funding will be providing Bear Cottage with
the means to upgrade their existing transport services, thereby
allowing improved hospice access. Bear Cottage Community
Relations Manager Scott Wallsberger says that the LPCGP will
be of significant assistance to Bear Cottage.
“By providing us with the funds through the grants program,
Bear Cottage will be able to modify our existing vehicle. This
will allow improved vehicle access to the hospice and thereby
increase the standard of palliative care we are able to provide,”
said Mr Wallsberger.
The staff at the Centre for Palliative Care, Melbourne University
care at home. In addition to providing caregivers with practical
and medical information, the sessions will include strategies
for meeting common emotional and spiritual needs.
The program will highlight key elements of pastoral care and
prepare family caregivers for bereavement. The foundation
for the education program has been developed from a
rigorous evidence based approach that incorporated input
from family caregivers and multidisciplinary palliative care
health professionals. The outcomes of the program will be
comprehensively evaluated so that recommendations can be
made for wider implementation.
Applications for the third funding round - care planning -
closed at 5pm on 13 January 2006. The assessment process for
these applications has commenced, and it is anticipated that
all applicants will be advised of the outcome of this process by
the end of March 2006. It is anticipated that the fourth funding
round (a second release of fit out and equipping premises and
transition to home support) will be advertised in the first half
of 2007.
11

PALLIATIVE CARE AUSTRALIA
MEMBER ORGANISATIONS LIST
Palliative Care Australia
PO Box 24
DEAKIN WEST ACT 2600
President – Professor David Currow
Acting Executive Director – Donna Daniell
Phone: 61 2 6232 4433
Phone: 1800 660 055
Fax: 61 2 6232 4434
Email: pcainc@pallcare.org.au
Website: www.pallcare.org.au
NSW
Palliative Care New South Wales
Level 11 Elizabeth Towers
418A Elizabeth Street
SURRY HILLS NSW 2010
President – Prof Sue Hanson
Executive Officer – Ms Linda Hansen
Phone: (02) 9282 6436
Fax: (02) 9212 1827
Email: info@palliativecarensw.org.au
Website: www.palliativecarensw.org.au
QLD
Palliative Care Queensland Inc
Unit 5, Bedford House
365 Main Street
KANGAROO POINT QLD 4169
President – Margaret O’Kane
Executive Director - David Elliot
Phone: (07) 3391 2900
Fax: (07) 3391 1444
Email: info@pallcareqld.com
Website: www.pallcareqld.com
VIC
Palliative Care Victoria
Suite 3C, Level 2, 182 Victoria Parade
EAST MELBOURNE VIC 3002
Chairperson – Dr Jane Fischer
Executive Director – Mr Kevin Larkins
Phone: (03) 9662 9644
Fax: (03) 9662 9722
Email: info@pallcarevic.asn.au
Website: www.pallcarevic.asn.au
WA
Palliative Care WA Incorporated
46 Ventnor Avenue
WEST PERTH WA 6005
President – Scott Blackwell
Phone: (08) 9212 4330
Fax: (08) 9212 4330
Email: pcwainc@palliativecarewa.asn.au
Website: www.palliativecarewa.asn.au
SA
Palliative Care Council of South Australia Inc
202 Greenhill Road
EASTWOOD SA 5063
Chairperson – Dr James Cooper
Executive Officer – Mr Will Hallahan
Phone: (08) 8291 4137
Fax: (08) 8291 4122
Email: pallcare@pallcare.asn.au
Website: www.pallcare.asn.au
TAS
Tasmanian Association for
Hospice and Palliative Care Inc
c/- Association Offices
GPO Box 448
HOBART TAS 7001
President – Dr Paul Dunne
Phone: (03) 6234 7577
Fax: (03) 6234 7566
Email: tahpc@associationoffices.com.au
ACT
ACT Palliative Care Society Inc
PO Box 88
CIVIC SQUARE ACT 2608
President – Mr Bill Packard
Office Manager - Sue Jordan
Phone: (02) 6273 9606
Fax: (02) 6273 9590
Email: acthpc@bigpond.com.au
NT
Palliative Care NT Inc.
PO Box 42255
CASUARINA NT 0811
President – Robyn D Harrison JP (08 8952 2844)
Phone: 0432 086 619
Fax: (08) 8948 5029
Email: moq13026@hcinternet.com.au
ANZSPM
Australian, & New Zealand Society
of Palliative Medicine Inc
c/- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Level 2, Gloucester House
Missenden Road
CAMPERDOWN NSW 2050
President – Professor Paul Glare
Secretary – TBA
Email:
secretary@anzspm.org.au