AHHA plans to improve quality of life through Palliative Care training
Date:
Tue, 26/06/2012
Spokesperson:
Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA)
Palliative care is an important part of Australia’s health care system, aiming to improve the life of those who have a life-limiting illness, their families and carers.
Following the release of the “Guidelines for a Palliative Approach for Aged Care in the Community Setting”, the Australian Healthcare & Hospitals Association’s consultancy arm, JustHealth Consultants (JHC) has been engaged to develop an education and training package designed to encourage uptake and use of the Guidelines by health professionals.
“The target audience for the Guidelines are all health workers providing palliative care to older people in community settings”, Terrie Paul, Director of JHC said. “It is envisaged this will include community aged care nurses, care workers and general practitioners. The Training Package will be developed incorporating the highest education design principles and will be compliant with a range of accreditation/certification processes. It will be designed to suit various educational needs and will be delivered in multiple modes to ensure maximum reach”, Ms. Paul said.
To undertake this work, JHC have partnered with the Silver Chain Group, e3Learning, and several highly qualified consultants, including the 2012 International Journal of Palliative Nursing, Educator of the Year Award winner, Molly Carlile. JHC will draw on AHHA’s extensive membership network to ensure that this project has optimum stakeholder input and engagement.
“The provision of palliative care services invokes high levels of interest and divergent views”, Ms Paul said. “In undertaking a national project such as this, we will ensure our plan addresses these differing views. Although a high level of stakeholder consultation has already occurred, we believe further consultation will be required to ensure maximum uptake, appropriateness and relevance of the approach and content of the package”.
Most Australians, when asked, indicate they would like to die at home. AHHA welcomes the opportunity to provide a mechanism to train health professionals to assist more people with a life-limiting illness in a supportive environment.
For more information or to register interest in the project contact Ms Terrie Paul, Director – JustHealth Consultants 0438 373538 or email tpaul [at] ahha [dot] asn [dot] au
