The Network received funding to plan and to deliver a Rural Palliative Care Project for the period of 2008-2011. The project aimed to deliver enhanced access to palliative care services using a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach to health care to improve rural community access to quality and coordinated palliative care services. An experienced and expert governance committee was established to oversee the project. This Committee included a diverse range of key stakeholders representing various primary care providers, palliative care specialists and consumers.
A key feature of the project is the innovative approach that draws on the diverse skills, experience and knowledge of multidisciplinary health care providers and consumers to plan and support the project's implementation. Their aim was to achieve a multidisciplinary model that focuses on the provision of high quality palliative care services by enhancing linkages, strengthening relationships and referral pathways to improve patient outcomes. One key measure of the success of the project has been the successful engagement of key stakeholders and their support and commitment to this project. The project planning and management methodology has proven effective, with agreement on the focus and strategies supported by the key stakeholders.
Effective implementation of project activities included a range of educational and networking opportunities. For example;
- a range of networking opportunities were created andcontinue gather momentum
- Enhanced opportunities to share and transfer knowledge and skills
- There are manyservice providers and Palliative Care Specialist who haveagreat wealth of knowledge and skillsto offertheir communities butso often work in isolation from each other.
- Collaboration leading to amultidisciplinary model of palliative care service delivery.
- Facilitated GPs and Registered Nurses participation in the Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach (PEPA) Program.
As a part of the project a "GP Data Collection" Kit was developed. The purpose of the Kit is to enable GPs and Practice Managers to incorporate collecting and extracting palliative care data from their clinical software programs. A Fluorescent yellow prompt sticker was developed to be places on GP's computer screens. The sticker prompts the GP to enter palliative care code into their systems allowing for the palliative care data to be extracted at a later date. The Network is working with two practices, one using Practix and the other using Medical Director 3. The GPs have been diligent in entering the appropriate data code and extraction of this data. Feedback from Practice Staff suggests that this method is easier than those used in the past
As a part of the Project, the Network delivered Education Forums and Workshops which provided learning and networking opportunities for 5 Palliative Care Physicians, 92 GPs, 51 Palliative Care Service Providers, 1 Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner, 1 Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner Candidate, 222 Registered Nurses, 9 Pharmacists, 12 Allied Health Professionals, 1 Palliative Care After Hours project officer, 24 Palliative Care Consortium Manager, Practice Managers, RACF Managers and 10 Consumer/Carer representatives who worked together toward the development of a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach to improve rural community access to quality and coordinated palliative care services. Rural Palliative Care Project resulted in the strengthening of existing pathways and the development of new linkages to underpin multi-disciplinary team work in palliative care.
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Prognostic Indicators
Defns in PC Prognostic Indicators
The palliative approach is now seen as a gradual transition from active treatment to comfort and symptom management.
Palliative Care Clinical Support Flip Chart
Palliative Care Flip Chart
Information ACP, symptom management, Opioid conversion chart. Referenece source of information
Prompt List -PEPSICOLA (NSW Model)
Prompt List For Consideration
Prompt List -Table adapted from Holistic checklist- PEPSI COLA aide memoire - Gold Standards Framework © Keri Thomas and Department of Health England 2005) Developed by CWDGP
Links:
www.health.vic.gov.au/palliativecare/pepa
For further information contact: Christine Borg