PEPA Summer 2012-13 Newsletter - Queensland Health

Program of
Experience in the
Palliative Approach
Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2012-13
Inside this issue:
National News:
• Update
• Tracking
Achievements
• Making a
Difference
• Staffing News
Educational
Component:
• Issues in Pain
Management
The Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach (PEPA) provides an opportunity for
health, aged and community care professionals working in primary care or non-specialist
palliative care settings to improve confidence and develop skills in working with people
with palliative care needs. PEPA offers funded workforce placements in palliative care
specialist services (host sites). These have three components:
• A supervised clinical placement in a metropolitan or larger service (inpatient,
community and/or hospital based consultancy)
• Integration of learning into the participant’s practice
• Post-placement support
PEPA also offers tailored workshops. Please access the PEPA webpage for further
details: http://www.pepaeducation.com
The Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach is an initiative of the Australian
Government Department of Health and Ageing.
Spotlight on
a Host site:
• J.W. Whittle
Palliative Care
Unit, Hobart
Participant
Reflection
Sector Links
State News
• NT
• ACT
• QLD
• TAS
• VIC
• NSW
• WA
• SA
Update from the National Team:
As we enter into the new year it is great to
reflect on the achievements that have been
made over the past 12 months. Following
the appointment of our national clinical
educator and senior research officers
we released a number of new
resources (including our nursing
and allied health learning guide and
online module), we started
implementing a range of
quality improvement initiatives
(developing the capacity
of mentors, amplifying
our work integrated
learning component
and refining our
Reverse PEPA model),
we renewed our focus
on Aged Care and have been working on
publishing more of our program outcomes.
Our Indigenous Reference Group has
expanded to include a greater representation
from across the spectrum of Indigenous health,
policy and workforce sectors and we have engaged
Aboriginal Project Officers and/or consultants in
all states and territories. Participants who have
undertaken PEPA placements continue to report
improved confidence, increased knowledge
and expanded skills to deliver a palliative
approach to care.
I would also like to take this opportunity
to thank all of our wonderful supporters,
participants and host site mentors for
your continuing efforts, you each
make a significant contribution
to the success of the program.
It was great catching up with
some of you at the PCNA
conference and at our
post-conference workshop,
‘Facilitating Learning and
Change Management in
Palliative Care Settings’ which was
held on the 12 th December.
Finally, we hope you all had a fabulous
Christmas and wish you all the best for a happy
and fulfilling New Year!!

Tracking Achievements
Table 1: Placements completed
(1 July–30 November 2012)
Registered Nirse (n=71)
Allied Health (n=12)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Health and Community
Workers (n=22)
GPs and Medical
Practitioners (n=20)
Assistants in Nursing/
Care workers (n=16)
14%
16%
11%
9%
50%
Table 2: Workshops completed
(1 July–30 November 2012)
25
20
15
10
5
0
Palliative approach Indigenous COP Culture and diversity
2
Making a Difference
Evaluation responses from the 1 July 2012 to 30 November
2012 indicate that PEPA keeps supporting participants to
increase their knowledge and expand their skills. Participants
have reported undertaking the following activities after their
placements:
Knowledge Sharing
• Being able to share knowledge with the co-workers each
day and implement the new goals of care.
• Discussing in-service with staff about PEPA program.
Staff Training
• In-service education and assessing the palliative care
material.
• Providing informal symptom management education.
• Organising palliative care medication education session.
Changes in Facility
• Providing better bowel management.
• Implementing appropriate mouth care for the residents.
• Early referral to the palliative care services.
• Adopting a new care plan with details for all staff.
Recent feedback from participants include:
• [My] PEPA experience broadened my way of working with
palliative patients. I have grown as a person and [as] a
professional.
• I had a fantastic experience at [X host site]. I learnt so much
on the role of dentition in palliative care and my confidence
has increased a lot.
• PEPA made me look at the small things we do, the basic
care provided must always be of a high standard, different
ways of doing things.
• I was warmly welcomed by all. All host sites conveyed
a sense of professionalism that focused all efforts and
resources on positive client outcomes. I left inspired and
motivated.
Staffing News
We would like to welcome the two newest members to our
PEPA team, Sally Fitzgerald & Carol Muthunesan. Sally is the
new consultant for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
component of PEPA in the ACT. She currently works at Calvary
Health Care ACT in the role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Liaison Officer and is looking forward to working with
PEPA to strengthen the delivery of palliative care to Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander communities in ACT. Carol joined
the NSW PEPA team on Monday 10th December 2012.
Carol is an RN (graduated 2010) and has previously worked
as an Aboriginal Hep C Service Access Coordinator, an
undergraduate nursing cadet (AIN) and in a number of roles
with the Department of Ageing Disabilities and Homecare
Service of NSW (DADHC).
EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT:
Living well until the end
Excerpt taken from the CareSearch Residential Aged
Care Hub (www.caresearch.com.au)
People living in Residential Aged Care today have higher levels
of disability and more complex care needs than in the past.
Many residents are living with dementia, organ failure or general
frailty. Their dying may be a slow process extending over
months or even years.
Quality care for these residents is more than good symptom
control and emotional support. It is about assisting residents
to live well and to maintain self-determination, relationships
and social connections as their dependence on others
increases. It is also about supporting the families of residents.
The World Health Organization has acknowledged the needs
of a rapidly ageing population. Their Active Ageing policy
Framework recognises the rights of all people as they age to
“independence, participation, dignity, care and self-fulfilment”.
The active refers to “continuing participation in social, economic,
cultural, spiritual and civic affairs”. [1]

Researchers have used the active ageing framework to describe
determinants of quality of life for people living in RAC. In addition
to the WHO criteria, they found that meaningful leisure, having
control over their own life and care and participating in the
organisation and function were important to residents’ quality of
life. [2]
Providing an environment where people with Huntington’s
disease can maintain maximum independence and control over
their lives is especially challenging. Dellafield and Ferrini report on
how one nursing home supported residents with Huntington’s
disease to live to their potential and to die with dignity. [3]
A systematic review of qualitative research on quality of life in
RAC identified factors residents say are important to their quality
of life. They are:
• Being able to accept and adapt to living in RAC
• Having and maintaining relationships with other residents, staff
and with their family and friends
• A home-like environment, privacy and a sense of their own
space
• Competent carer’s who provided individualised care without
rushing. [4]
References
1. World Health Organisation (WHO). Ageing and life course - Active ageing: A policy
framework. WHO; 2002 April [cited 2012 Sep 12].
2. Van Malderen L, Mets T, De Vriendt P, Gorus E. The Active Ageing-concept translated to the
residential long-term care. Qual Life Res. 2012 Jun 8. [Epub ahead of print].
3. Dellefield ME, Ferrini R. Promoting Excellence in End-of-Life Care: lessons learned from
a cohort of nursing home residents with advanced Huntington disease. J Neurosci Nurs.
2011 Aug;43(4):186-92.
4. Bradshaw SA, Playford ED, Riazi A. Living well in care homes: a systematic review of
qualitative studies. Age Ageing. 2012 Jul;41(4):429-40. Epub 2012 Jun 7.
Page created 10 October 2012
This article has been reproduced with permission from the
CareSearch Palliative Care Knowledge Network. The full text is
available at: http://www.caresearch.com.au/caresearch/
tabid/2516/Default.aspx. Information is for education use only
and is provided in good faith without any express or implied
warranty. All practitioners need to use sound clinical judgement
in individual situations.
Spotlight on a Host site
J.W. Whittle Palliative Care Unit, Hobart
The J W Whittle Palliative Care Unit (Whittle Unit) is a 10-bed
Hospice in Hobart, Tasmania which provides a comfortable
environment for patients, family and friends who need to be
cared for in a specialist Palliative Care Setting. The service is
able to provide respite, symptom management and terminal
care. Most people are admitted to the Unit with cancer as their
principle diagnosis, but care is also provided for people with nonmalignant,
terminal conditions such as end stage heart or lung
failure and neurodegenerative illnesses.
Whittle Unit is made up of a strong multidisciplinary team who
meet weekly to review clients care and are also available at any
time to provide specialist palliative care advice. The team includes
nursing and medical staff, a Social Worker, a Music Therapist,
a Pastoral Care Worker and a dedicated band of Hospice
Volunteers. The nursing staff work closely together and are
SECTOR LINKS:
The National Palliative Care Program: The Australian
Government provides support for people with a life-limiting
illness through the National Palliative Care Program -
http://www.health.gov.au/palliativecare.
CareSearch: The CareSearch palliative care knowledge
network is an online resource consolidating evidencebased
and quality information for various groups within
the palliative care community - http://www.caresearch.
com.au.
Palliative Care Australia: PCA works to address national
palliative care issues, represent the area to the Federal
Government and national media, and acts for the sector
when dealing with other national peak bodies and
professional organisations - http://www.palliativecare.
org.au/.
constantly reviewing patient needs and formalise this process
with the use of a newly devised clinical assessment form. Part of
the review process is discharge planning which will assist in for
providing comprehensive referrals to Primary Health Providers
who will be providing ongoing care to the patient when they go
home. Staff resilience and satisfaction is maintained through
ensuring the best possible care to those who are dying and
to see that family and friends are well prepared and have felt
included in their loved one’s journey.
Whittle Unit takes pride in having a continuous quality review
process to ensure that the unit is able to provide specialist care
in comfortable surroundings. One quality improvement approach
found the Unit engaging with the community and working with
some local quilting groups. The response was overwhelming
and we now have over 50 quilts which are used for patients’
beds and to keep warm when sitting in armchairs and outside
in the courtyard. This has enhanced the feeling of warmth and
wellbeing for patients, family, friends and staff.
Another project which has been implemented on the Unit is a
bereavement support group called “Hearts and Hands”. This
group was formed to provide comfort and support for bereaved
family members who have been a part of the Unit and involves
weekly craft sessions and companionship facilitated by the
Social Worker and Hospice Volunteers. Craft items are then
placed about the Unit for everyone to enjoy and in the lead up
to Christmas the group are busily producing beautiful Christmas
decorations.
3

STATENEWS
4
PEPA SA: Janine Brett
In the few months since the Spring Newsletter, South Australia
has successfully completed placements, post placement
workshops and forums. Successful placements have included
General Practitioners, RNs, ENs, Aboriginal Health Workers,
Aged Care Workers and Allied Health Professionals.
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) Aged Care
workshops have been held in Mt Gambier in October and the
Adelaide metro in November. Attendees at the Mt Gambier
workshop included a Pharmacist, GP, Social Worker, RNs, ENs
and Aged Care Professionals reinforcing the need for palliative
care education across this spectrum (see photo below).
A PEPA multidisciplinary Aged Care workshop
The following workshops have also been held:
• Port Pirie at the beginning of November for Speech
Pathologists with Megan Hanley from Tasmania presenting
via Video Link
• Nunkawarrin Yunti in Adelaide Metro area on Palliative Care
– An Aboriginal perspective. Our thanks go to Auntie Irene
for doing the smoking ceremony and her involvement with
the workshop (see photo below).
Auntie Irene conducting a smoking ceremony
at a PEPA workshop
We are currently working
on our program for the
January – June 2013 period
which is looking to be very
busy. Planning is underway
for workshops to be held
in Victor Harbor, Ceduna,
Whyalla and Port Augusta.
PEPA South Australia would
like to extend to all of our readers best wishes for 2013.
For further enquiries regarding PEPA in South Australia please
contact jbrett@pallcare.asn.au or 08 82914156.
PEPA NT: Cindy Paardekooper
Northern Territory- Cindy Paardekooper
We are almost half way through this round of PEPA 2011-2014
and are showing great results from clinical placements and the
Community Outreach Program activities.
We have embraced the new relationships gained with
stakeholders of the Northern Territory and continue to meet
specific educational demand of the staff of those organisations.
Interactive workshops have been delivered to Alice Springs
and Darwin in this period resulting in support and increased
confidence to the various agencies that continue to assist in
the delivery of quality end of life care to many Territorians.
Recently the NT PEPA manager and Aboriginal Educator
co-presented at two Indigenous-focused interstate
conferences speaking about the importance of ‘Returning to
Country’ for many Aboriginal patients at end of life to finish up.
Firstly, we presented to delegates that attended the Rural
Health West Aboriginal Health Conference in Perth. In closing
of the conference a highlight was the inspirational Deborah
Cheetam the first indigenous soprano opera singer, her voice
was so powerful and continues to linger in our minds.
Secondly was the International Network of
Health and Development (INIHKD) Conference
in Brisbane. Along with Darryl and Natasha
presentation on PEPA We presented
“Returning to Country – The direct result of
Deborah Cheetam the Program of Experience in the Palliative
Approach in the Northern Territory. Our
presentations saw much delegate interest in the topic and
the importance reflected by other Indigenous peoples such
as the Maoris of New Zealand and the First Nation peoples of
American Countries. It was interesting to hear of the diversities,
similarities, challenges and plans for ways forward in the
Indigenous Palliative Care International Arena. We found it
most valuable and exhilarating in the cultural exchange and
sharing of dances and songs that were held at the delegate’s
conference dinner.
Community Outreach Program
– Beverley Derschow
Thankyou for the warm welcome to my position of PEPA
Aboriginal Education Officer from Cindy Paardekooper NT PEPA
Manager and the National PEPA team. I am a descendant
of the Martu Western Desert people. I come from a Western
Australia Enrolled Nurse background and I have lived in Darwin

Presenters from the INIHDK
conference, Brisbane
Congress Group
for 28 years. My experience working as an Aboriginal Health
Worker with the Northern Territory Palliative Care Service for 13
years has made for a much smoother transition to the PEPA
Aboriginal Health Worker Education Officer’s role.
In August, as part of my orientation and with support of Cindy,
due to cancellation of planned Mutitjulu workshop I was able
to capitalise on Central Australia visit through networking
and consultations with stakeholders of government and non
government Service Providers.
In October I was able to facilitate two workshops for the two
main Aboriginal Community Services, one for Tangentyere
Aboriginal Council, which targeted their Aged Care Community
service. At the request of the service and in keeping with cultural
protocol, we were able to include two concurrent gender
sessions which proved to be well received by participants.
Second workshop held was for Central Australian Aboriginal
Congress and their Aboriginal Health Professional Trainees. This
workshop also was well received with good interaction between
presenters and participants which is important with establishing
good communication, building of relationships, understanding
of services available, accessing Palliative Care Service and
talking about Palliative Care which impacts on good outcomes
for clients who use their service.
Members of Central Palliative Care Team Jo Rhodes Clinical
Nurse Manager presented on their service. A highlight was
the guest speakers Fiona Haddon and Gerard Waterford from
Congress Social & Emotional Wellbeing who presented on
their service, what is counselling and practical exercises which
could be done at home to manage own triggers. David Burgess
Palliative Care Pastoral Care Worker presented on Self Care and
Mindfulness.
Consultations were held in September with Katherine regional
government and non government services has resulted in
further interest and requests for Community Outreach Program
Workshops which we plan to facilitate in beginning of 2013.
International Network of Indigenous Health Knowledge
and Development (INIHKD) Conference held in Brisbane in
September was a great opportunity for me to meet some
members of the PEPA team.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time to date and look forward to
the rest of the 22 months supporting the high standard of the
NT PEPA Program as maintained by Cindy Paardekooper PEPA
Manager.
Finally and most importantly on behalf of the NT PEPA Program
we hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and we wish you
all a Happy and Safe New Year.
PEPA ACT: Sue Turner
It is with pleasure that I introduce Sally Fitzgerald. Sally has
graciously accepted the position of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Consultant for ACT PEPA. Together we look forward to
increasing promotion of PEPA to the indigenous health workers
within the region.
2012 has resulted in fabulous outcomes for palliative care
education across the ACT with over 550 participants
attending a variety of educational opportunities, in the form of
placements, workshops and post placement support activities.
Twenty-nine health professionals have completed placements
in 2012. Prospective participants interested in a placement
are strongly encouraged to submit an application to avoid any
disappointment. ACT is particularly looking for GPs, Aboriginal
or Torres Strait Islander health workers, and Enrolled nurses for
placements in 2013.
In the ACT demand for palliative approach workshops outstrips
availability.
Upcoming workshops:
Workshop Target Group Location
General Palliative Approach
5th February 2013
Culturally Diversity
Workshop
21st March 2013
General Palliative Approach
Workshop
16th April 2013
Nurses, Allied Health
and AINs
All Health professionals
Nurses, Allied Health
and AINs
Clare Holland
House
Clare Holland
House
Clare Holland
House
Health professionals from the ACT region interested in
attending a workshop are encouraged to apply. Please contact
Sue Turner, ACT PEPA Manager, on 02 62647338 or susan.
turner@calvary-act.com.au .
This year’s post placement activities culminated in the event
“How are you going to die?” held at the National Film and
Sound Archive. The screening of the movie of the same
name was the prelude to a panel discussion with Kate Maher,
Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner, Dr Andrew Skeels and Dr
Frank Brennan, both Palliative Medicine Physicians. The event
encouraged a range of health practitioners from a diverse
spectrum of health care, including industry heavy weights such
as Dr Yvonne Luxford, to discuss the ways health professionals
in the ACT region approach end of life issues.
Kate Maher at the “How are you going to die?’ film night and forum
5

6
PEPA QLD: Aurora Hodges
Participant Reflection:
AJ, Personal Care Worker in Aged Care, QLD
AJ is an Aboriginal woman who works as a Personal Care
Worker in aged care in remote western Queensland.
She undertook a split placement spending time with two
host sites.
“Palliative care is very valuable, we only get one chance to
get it right. Whether people choose to die at home or in a
hospital or RACF the emphasis is on providing good quality
end of life care and having the knowledge and confidence
to carry it out effectively. These placements provided me
with a greater insight into all aspects of palliative care in
different settings and social situations, the care of the client,
the family and the carers. I was very much out of my zone
in Brisbane however the support I received the entire time
of my placement from the PEPA team and in particular the
PEPA Indigenous Project Officer Darryl was invaluable. I
was welcomed to Karuna with genuine warmth and was
on the road with RNs doing home visits. I was encouraged
to ask questions and I sat in on case conferencing learning
the benefits and positive outcomes of this as a way for the
multidisciplinary team to touch base and problem solve.
I feel privileged to have been placed with Kris the Nurse
Practitioner at Metro South. She was more than happy to
share with me what she knows and ignited in me the desire
to learn. With her I visited aged care facilities and [learned
more] about family conferences. I strongly recommend PEPA
for managers, nurses AINs/PCAs as it provides professional
skill development on all levels.
”PEPA Queensland held a successful GP Update in Palliative
Care workshop on Saturday 24 November with 13 local
GP’s attending. Sessions presented included: ANZSPM 5
domains for evidence to practice gaps for End-of-Life care,
new developments and latest evidence in drug management
of common symptoms and conditions at End-of-Life and
Dr Greg Parker, Senior Medical Officer, QEII Palliative Care Unit, A/Prof Rohan Vora and Lorna
Chess-Williams, Pharmacist, Gold Coast Palliative Care Unit.
pain management in palliative care. Dr Jones Chen, recent
PEPA placement participant also gave a presentation on his
placement.
PEPA Queensland also held a palliative approach workshop
for allied health professionals on 27 November 2013. The
aim of the workshop was to develop health professionals’
understanding of the palliative approach and how this
approach can be applied in practice. Presenters included:
Allison Lovel, CNC, Palliative Care Liaison, RBWH; Leonie
Naumann, Physiotherapy Team Leader, Cancer Care, RBWH;
Dr James Stevenson, Director Palliative Care, The Prince
Charles Hospital; Rev Linda McWilliam, Coordinating Chaplain,
Anglicare, Dr Elisa Agostinelli PhD, Counsellor Coordinator, St
Vincent’s Hospital; Kym Griffin, Research Officer, Centre for
Palliative Care Research and Education, Christie Barrett, Social
Worker, Mater Health Services Brisbane. Excellent feedback
was received from the 35 allied health professionals attending.
2013 PEPA Queensland Workshops:
• 8 February – Community Outreach workshop for Indigenous
Health Workers (Mackay)
• 27 February – Cultural Diversity in Palliative Care: an
Indigenous Perspective (RBWH)
• 30 April – Palliative Approach for Allied Health Professionals
(RBWH)
• May – 2 Proposed workshops in Mackay – GP and Allied
Health
Would you like to update your skills in the palliative approach
by undertaking a subsidised workforce placement with a
palliative care specialist service? PEPA Queensland has
placements starting in 2013 for:
• GPs
• Allied Health Professionals
• RNs
• ENs
• Indigenous Health Workers
Please contact Aurora Hodges, PEPA Qld Manager on:
Ph: 3646 6216 E: pepaqld@health.qld.gov.au
PEPA VIC: Carol Pyke
As the new PEPA manager in Victoria, I have found the last
four months to be a challenging but very rewarding time.
The challenge has been to improve my understanding of the
palliative care sector but it has been rewarding to work with
such wonderfully dedicated health professionals.
The focus of these past months has been on increasing the
uptake of PEPA placements particularly by registered nurses.
PEPA has been promoted to small rural hospitals, bush nursing
hospitals and bush nursing centres. We have also been
promoting PEPA to the aged care sector through Leading Aged
Care Services (Victoria). The result has been a steady increase
in PEPA applications from nurses working in these areas.
A PEPA mentoring workshop was conducted in November
and we had a good attendance from both inpatient and

Clockwise from above: Bathurst PEPA workshop; JHH Newcastle; Leeton PEPA workshop; Dapto PEPA workshop.
7
community-based palliative care services from metropolitan
and rural areas. It was clear from their feedback that
participants valued PEPA and the importance of their role
as PEPA mentors. They also appreciated the opportunity to
network with their peers. Some work will be done to identify
more networking opportunities for PEPA mentors.
PEPA was promoted to general practitioners at the Palliative
Care Victoria stand at the General Practitioners Conference
and Exhibition held in Melbourne in mid-November. More work
will be done to promote PEPA to this group in the coming year.
Health professionals who have recently completed a PEPA
supervised clinical placement continue to report the benefits
this experience gives them:
• I have been able to share some of the knowledge I gained
with my colleagues which has helped us to be more aware
of not only the needs of our patients but also their families.
• It has given me more confidence in discussing PC (palliative
care) with clients and given me more knowledge of how I
can help them.
Placements are currently available for all health professionals
including general/medical practitioners, nurses, Aboriginal
health workers, and allied health staff.
Carol Pyke
Victorian PEPA manager
http://www.health.vic.gov.au/palliativecare/programs
PEPA NSW: Janeen Foffani
What a year we had in 2012! While rewarding and fulfilling on
a number of levels, I’ll remember 2012 as the year that just
didn’t give us a minute’s rest and on reflection I can understand
why. PEPA NSW has organised over 60 supervised clinical
placements since February, the majority of these placements
have been for nurses and Aboriginal Health Workers. We
have also completed around 20 Basic Palliative Approach
workshops, 2 Palliative Approach ‘yarn ups’ and 15 Palliative
Care Forums across NSW.
We also recently manned PEPA NSW display tables at the
NSW Palliative Care Conference (Dubbo), Agency for Clinical
Innovations Network2Network Conference (Sydney) and Rural
NSW GP Conference (Coogee). We met a number of new
people from a diverse group and it was great to see so many
familiar faces and to put a face to a number of voices/names.
I’m also pleased to announce that we had a new staff member
join our team in December. Carol Muthunesan has taken on
the role of PEPA NSW Aboriginal Education Officer. Carol is
an RN and brings with her a range of experience and will be a
valued addition to our team. Carol’s focus will be primarily on
the Indigenous arm of PEPA NSW however we are all looking
forward to playing an active role in all PEPA NSW activities.
Planning for 2013 is well underway and a number of
placements and workshops have already been organised.
Keep an eye on our webpage for more details especially if you
are in the Newcastle, Quirindi, and Lismore area. It’s starting to
look like 2013 will be just as busy as last year!
PEPA WA: Brooke Wilkinson
2012 has been a very successful and busy year for PEPA in
Western Australia. We had an overwhelming response for
placements from regional general practitioners and nursing
staff.
Clinical placements are still available for Aboriginal Health
Workers, Enrolled Nurses, Allied Health Professionals and
Rural Aged Care Facilities (Reverse PEPA). We encourage
participants who are interested in undertaking a PEPA
placement to submit their application.
PEPA WA completed our first Rural Reverse PEPA placement
in August. Robyn Ellis the Midwest Palliative Care Coordinator
educated staff at services within the Midwest region. With
some services setting up a palliative care multidisciplinary team
and others joining the regional palliative care interest group.
Each service has strengthened their relationship with the
Midwest palliative care service.

8
Employer’s comment - “We received clear indicators of
when to refer patients to palliative care, and also feel more
confident to contact PEPA or our regional coordinator if
we need any help with palliative care issues”.
PEPA WA ran a very successful weekend workshop that
focused on the difficult conversations that may arise in
palliative patients. We had a variety of guest presenters
over the weekend. Dr Christina Pulchalski from George
Washington Institute for Spirituality and Health (GWish)
DC was in Western Australia for the Palliative Care WA
Conference, she has developed many resources and
tools for spirituality in palliative care and was a great guest
speaker. We also had a panel of palliative care experts
join us; Helena Green (Clinical Nurse/Sexologist), Karen
Anderson (Counsellor), Dr David Thorne (Palliative Care
Consultant) and John Robinson (Clinical Nurse).The was
a fantastic opportunity for participants to network and
share their palliative care stories and experiences with one
another.
Participants’ comments - “I learnt to develop a language
that is non-invasive for inviting people to talk about
personal issues” “Listening is an important tool”.
For further information about any of the workshops or
placement opportunities please contact Brooke Wilkinson
on (08)9382 9372 or go to the Cancer Council website
http://www.cancerwa.asn.au/professionals/palliativecare-profs/professionaldevelopment/
PEPA TAS: Susan Rasmussen
Our palliative care host sites have hosted a number of
health professionals over the last few months; these
include Allied Health, Registered Nurses, GP’s and
Indigenous Health Workers. The positive feedback
from all participants has been overwhelming and the
enthusiasm they all go away with is enormous.
We have held three (3) general PEPA workshops with a
fourth to occur just before Christmas these workshops
are always well received and continue to be in high
demand. Planning is in full swing for workshops in 2013
with one of these being an Indigenous health workers’
workshop which is proposed for the NW of the state.
Post placement support has taken on a new approach
in Tasmania with emails being sent out to all those past
participants who have provided email addresses, if you
are a past participant reading this segment and you have
not receive an email from Susan and you would like to be
included on the email circulation list please email Susan
on susan.rasmussen@dhhs.tas.gov.au.
New developments:
PEPA Tasmania is delighted to welcome Melwood Unit
at St Lukes Calvary hospital in Launceston as a new
host site offering placement opportunities in a hospice
environment to northern Tasmanian future participants.
We hope to commence placement in the Melwood Unit
early in 2013.
For further information you can
contact your local PEPA manager:
Australian Capital Territory
Sue Turner
PEPA@calvary-act.com.au
Ph: 02 6264 7338 • Fax: 02 6273 0338
New South Wales
Janeen Foffani
pepansw@sswahs.nsw.gov.au
Ph: 02 9515 6424 • Fax: 02 9515 6768
Northern Territory
Cindy Paardekooper
Cindy.Paardekooper@nt.gov.au
Ph: 08 8922 7679 • Fax: 08 8922 6775
Queensland
Aurora Hodges
pepa@health.qld.gov.au
Ph: 07 3646 6216 • Fax: 07 3646 7942
South Australia
Tracey Watters
twatters@pallcare.asn.au
Ph: 08 8291 4379
Victoria
Carol Pyke
Carol.Pyke@health.vic.gov.au
Ph: 03 9096 0509 • Fax: 03 9096 9206
Western Australia
Brooke Wilkinson
PEPA@cancerwa.asn.au
Ph: 08 9382 9372 • Fax: 08 9381 8103
Tasmania
Susan Rasmussen
Susan.Rasmussen@dhhs.tas.gov.au
Ph: 03 6220 2431 • Fax: 03 6222 7679
National Coordinator
Natasha Myers
pepa@qut.edu.au
Ph: 07 3138 6121 • Fax: 07 3138 6030
National Coordinator for Indigenous PEPA:
Dr Mick Adams
m2.adams@qut.edu.au
Ph: 07 3138 5807
A copy of this newsletter is available online at:
http://www.pepaeducation.com
© QUT 2011 18051