Project officer for the Gwydir Shire Palliative Partnership’s Project Angela Stones is delighted to announce the launch of a pamphlet that aims to inform the community about the meaning of a palliative approach to care, within the context of the local community.

The pamphlet has been developed in response to a need to better inform the community about the project and its vision for improved access to quality coordinated palliative care services for people in the Gwydir Shire.

The topics covered by the pamphlet include a description of what palliative care is and where it can be delivered. It also describes palliative care as being a team effort, which coordinates care in response to the changing needs of the client.

"The pamphlet acknowledges the support needed by carers in their caring role and provides information on how carers may access assistance in the local area," Angela said.

Angela launched this community information pamphlet at an education forum held recently in Bingara and Warialda.

"The forum was funded by the project and was aimed at both service providers and carers in the community who wished to learn more about the challenges encountered in providing palliative care in a small community.

"It also focussed on the need to develop self-care and support strategies in their role as carers, as these people can often neglect their own needs in favour of the person they are caring for. This only puts their health at risk as well," she said.

For further information please contact Angela Stones on 0427 231 567