Bridge walk for Palliative Care Week on Lower Mid North Coast

 12 May 2011

Hunter New England Health will host a range of activities to recognise National Palliative Care Week with the aim of increasing public awareness about palliative care, loss and grief. 

National Palliative Care Week will be recognised on the Lower Mid North Coast with several events including a Bridge Walk and barbecue on Wednesday 25 May 2011.

Lower Mid North Coast Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Consultant Anne Davis said the care of people with an incurable illness is an important part of how Hunter New England Health cares for local communities.

“The primary treatment is relieving symptoms and maximising quality of life,” Ms Davis said.

 “Palliative care also embraces the care of family and friends in coping with the distress and emotions that occur when a loved one has a terminal illness.”

Local residents are invited to take part in the Palliative Care Bridgewalk from Tuncurry to Forster, which will begin at 11am in John Wright Park, Tuncurry and will conclude at the Forster foreshore with a barbecue.

Great Lakes Hospice will also hold a trivia night on Friday 27 May 2011 at Holy Name Primary School from 7pm. For more information or to register a team for the trivia night, please call Foster Community Health Centre on (02) 6539 6300.

In the Lower Mid North Coast region, palliative care is delivered by co-ordinated medical, nursing and allied health services.

Patients and families are also provided support from dedicated volunteers who work specifically with palliative care.

Palliative care also offers support to family and friends of patients in their bereavement, with specific support from a designated Bereavement Counsellor and trained volunteers.

Community members are able to access community palliative care services through their local doctor or by contacting their nearest community health centre.

Ms Davis said it’s important that where possible people who are receiving palliative care and their families should ask as many questions as they can, because patients have a role in planning their care and managing their illness.

“When people are well informed and can talk openly with health professionals they can help to make their care planning as effective as possible,” Ms Davis said.

Ms Davis acknowledged the importance of support from family, friends and carers of palliative patients.

“Knowing what to say to people with a terminal illness, or what you can do to assist can be quite difficult at times,” Ms Davis said. 

“Family, friends and carers can make a difference by offering support, showing respect, following the patient’s lead and asking how they can help.”  

During Palliative Care Week community members are also invited to attend a memorial service to remember those who have died and the impact their death has had on others.

Three memorial services will be held in the Lower Mid North Coast region:

• Taree Memorial Service on Wednesday 25 May 2011 from 10am at Manning Great Lakes Memorial Gardens, Pampoolah.
• Forster Memorial Service on Thursday 26 May 2010 from 10am at the Coastal Patrol Centre, Forster.
• Gloucester Memorial Service on Wednesday 25 May from 10am at the Senior Citizens Centre, Gloucester.
  

Contact: Communication Unit

Phone: 02 4985 5522