A new DVD will be launched next week to help Queenslanders affected by terminal illness.
The DVD, ‘Understanding Palliative Care’, will be available free of charge to all Queenslanders affected by terminal illness, including patients, family carers, health professionals, and members of the general public.
The new Palliative Care Queensland resource, supported by Cancer Council Queensland, will be launched next week as part of National Palliative Care Awareness Week.
Acting Chief Executive Officer for Palliative Care Queensland, John-Paul Kristensen, said the aims of the DVD are to raise public awareness about the issues surrounding end of life care and palliative care, and to demystify the process of death and dying.
“The DVD speaks openly about death and the dying process in a way that is nonconfrontational and that supports the value of the individual and the importance of providing individualised care to people affected by terminal illness and those who care for them,” he said.
“There hasn’t been such a comprehensive DVD about palliative care produced before, so this DVD is a real breakthrough for the Queensland community, as we now have an invaluable tool that can be used to raise awareness of death and dying and end of life issues.
“The information provided in the DVD should help to empower Queenslanders with the knowledge and skills required to make informed end-of-life decisions, and to assist Queenslanders affected by terminal illness to achieve quality of life at the end of their lives.
Cancer Council Queensland provided $15,000 in funding to help develop the DVD.
The DVD is available at no cost to individuals affected by terminal illness in Queensland, and can be ordered by contacting Palliative Care Queensland directly on (07) 3633 0096 or by visiting www.palliativecareqld.org.au .
Another important National Palliative Care Awareness Week initiative, is the inaugural meeting of the ‘Queensland End of Life Alliance’, a consortium comprising key stakeholders from within the palliative care sector, including senior Queensland Health personnel, non-government providers, senior clinicians, academics and consumers.
“The palliative care sector has been neglected for so long, and as a result we are now facing some very serious issues, including the possible collapse of some of the nongovernment providers. The alliance will provide us with an opportunity, not only to discuss these issues, but to table solutions, one of which should include the creation of a statewide palliative care service plan for Queensland. We look forward to using
the alliance to work closely with Queensland Health to ensure that all terminally ill Queenslanders have access to the best possible end-of-life care.
