Palliative care takes centre stage in NSLHD
There was a strong focus on palliative care in Northern Sydney Local Health District in 2021.
There was the opening of a new specialist palliative care unit, the launch of the end-of-life symbol, as well as a new staff specialist appointment at Hornsby Hospital, Dr Cynthia Parr, and a district nursing award for PalCare Clinical Nurse Consultant Ann-Marie Perry. During Palliative Care week, staff at Mona Vale hosted the bereavement bag volunteers at the new PalCare unit, while staff also celebrated the success of the new service with morning tea.
“We are very proud of the ongoing commitment in NSLHD to ensuring that care at the end of life is considered as important as care at any other time of people’s lives,” Clinical Director of Palliative Care Professor Katy Clark said. “Perhaps one of the most pleasing changes locally has been the opening of the new palliative care unit at Mona Vale Hospital which has been without a doubt a very welcome addition to existing palliative care services in NSLHD.”
The team also worked closely with Aboriginal Health in developing the culturally appropriate end-of-life symbol. Incorporating the Angophora tree and flower, the symbol is used by staff to identify patients receiving care at the very end of life. The Angophora has a spiritual significance for Aboriginal Peoples, encompassing birth, life and death, which is why it was chosen for this very important project. Studio Artes’ artists Jaycee and Cara produced the beautiful symbol.
Artists Cara and Jaycee from Studio Artes helped to design the symbol
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