Health Professionals Education

Mercy Hospice Auckland is committed to providing educational support to people involved in the delivery of palliative care within the Auckland District Health Board and wider areas.

Our team offer palliative care education and are happy to provide specific training to suit individual needs. Our Specialist Team comprises Medical, Nursing, Family Support (Counselling, Social Work, Pastoral and Cultural Liaison).

For any enquires please contact our Clinical Educator - Jean Ashman:

Telephone: 09 376 7568
Email: jean.ashman@mercyhospice.org.nz

1. Multidisciplinary Education

Sounds of Silence

Sexuality is an essential part of being human. However evidence from related literature suggests that health professionals in palliative care settings rarely communicate about patient sexuality and intimacy. Patients are also reluctant to raise these issues and consequently the result may be a 'deafening silence'.

We have created a two day workshop 'Sounds of Silence: Intimacy and Sexuality in Palliative Care'. Our perspective is that there is far more to sexuality than sexual acts. Sexuality is pivotal to our self understanding and social roles. Sexuality is a private aspect of ourselves that we may or may not wish to share. Palliative care patients are sexual beings and for many, maintaining a positive sexual identity is an important aspect of good self esteem and feelings of well being.

We believe that even though terminally ill, patients are entitled to have their needs for physical closeness and intimacy addressed. As health professionals we have a vital role in encouraging patients to open the dialogue with their partners to attend to sexual issues so that they can have the best quality of life for the longest possible time. Sexuality in palliative care is about providing information, support and practical strategies related to issues of intimacy, sexuality and sexual expression, for patients and their partners in the context of a terminal illness.

It is about losses and the grief associated with those losses. As health professionals we have a responsibility to support our patients, partners, or couples as they face these changes in their lives. The aim of the workshop is to give health professionals knowledge and tools to address the intimate and sexual needs of palliative patients.
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The Genesis Oncology Trust Breakfast Sessions

The Genesis Oncology Trust Breakfast Session Lecture Programme is hosted by hospices throughout New Zealand. These sessions are held on the first Thursday of each month. The programme is designed to suit the needs of a multidisciplinary audience. CME and CNE points are awarded.
For programme information please click here.

Study Day - Drugs used in palliative care

This Study Day has been designed to suit the needs of health professionals working in the community with generalist palliative care patients. Emma Griffiths our Pharmacist will be looking at the drugs used for pain relief and nausea and vomiting in terminal patients. She will be examining the use of benzodiazapines for palliative care patients and also the effects of food on some of the medications we use.

Jean Ashman will discuss the problem of constipation for our patients and the drugs used to treat the problem. She will also be examining Cecily Saunders concept of total pain. Linda Abbott will talk about the LCP with a particular focus on the drugs used in the pathway. To view flyer, click here.

Due to high interest, registrations for this study day are now closed. We are looking at holding another study day next year, so please check our website regularly for an update.

Therapeutic Communication - 1 Day Course

Dates for 2010: Friday 23 April, Saturday 3 July, Monday 15 November
The aim of the day is to assist health professionals to strengthen and build their ability to communicate effectively with their patients, families and colleagues at work. The Patient-Centred approach will be reviewed through a framework known as Dignity Conserving Care. There will be a strong practical emphasis to the day and topics will include an exploration of personal communication behaviour, active listening skills, handling challenging situations, assertiveness, resolving conflict and looking after one's own needs.
For more information, and registration form click here.

Cultural Day

The rituals and actions associated with the dying process will be discussed by members of each cultural group.
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2. Medical

Palliative Care for Clinicians

A 3 Day Course on 24, 25 & 26 September 2010
This course will focus on such topics as: pain assessment & pain control. nausea, vomiting & bowel obstruction, breathlessness & respiratory symptoms, end of life care, communication skills– including denial & collusion, oncological emergencies, difficult decisions at end-of-life, ethics introduction (including euthanasia debate), and information mastery.
For more information, and registration form click here.

Mercy Hospice Auckland is the registered provider of specialist palliative care education for GPs in the Auckland area for the Royal NZ College of General Practitioners. In addition, the medical team is available to provide education and support for other medical and allied health groups.

Contact Dr Bruce Foggo, Medical Team Leader bruce.foggo@mercyhospice.org.nz

Clinical guideline information is available to download from the Health Professionals Section of the Mercy Hospice Auckland site on the Healthpoint website.

3. Nursing

We welcome all nurses from Auckland District Health Board area and other Palliative Care Teams to join us in training when we have workshops or visiting speakers.

We offer a range of certificated courses for Health Care Assistants and Registered Nurses.

Subcutaneous Syringe Driver Competency Workshop
To view flyer click here. To register for the course online, click here.

Orientation to Palliative Care Course
Nurses' Orientation to Palliative Care is a three day course that aims to extend the RN's knowledge of palliative care. It is a collaborative education programme presented by Educators from the Hospices of Auckland. To view the flyer, click here.

4. Resources

Guidelines for Wound Management in Palliative Care

Booklets are sponsored by Genesis Oncology Trust and are free however a donation for postage is welcome. To order a copies please contact our Clinical Educator - Jean Ashman