Download - Palliative Care Australia

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
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