Sparking a conversation about death, dying and bereavement is the focus for Mackay Hospital and Health Service (Mackay HHS) and the Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) this Dying to Know Day (August 8).
Mackay Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Helen Chalmers said Mackay HHS was looking forward to partnering with NQPHN to deliver eight events across the Mackay and Whitsundays targeted at both health professionals and the community.
“Reaching our staff and community with the important message about death, dying and bereavement is essential to delivering advanced end of life care,” she said.
“90% of people never share their end-of-life wishes and 45% of people die without a will, so it is important for us to work together to support our consumers and community in openly talking about end of care planning.”
As part of the Queensland Health 2015 state-wide strategy to improve care at end of life, it has been identified that advance care planning plays a pivotal role in allowing individuals to make informed decisions about their own healthcare.
“Mackay HHS has put on a project officer who is responsible for integrating end of life care as a core element of our health services,” Ms Chalmers said.
“Fifty health professionals from Mackay HHS and primary healthcare providers and representatives of interested services also work to drive the initiative locally.
“As a result the community is starting to participate in advance care planning that enables them to document their choices for their future healthcare and maximise the likelihood that those choices will be respected.”
Care at end of life planning is something everyone has to deal with at some point with most people already having a personal story to tell of how their lives have been impacted through the loss of a loved one.
“Since we will all die one day, this is a topic that affects us all, but not one we usually like to talk about,” she said.
“Be sure to have a conversation with your loved ones today, it’s never too early to participate in advance care planning.”
NQPHN Chief Executive Officer Robin Moore said the organisation works closely with Mackay HHS, primary care providers and other support services across the region.
“We work together to develop sustainable strategies to support service integration and provide quality education for care at end of life for primary care across the Northern Queensland region,” Mr Moore said.
“We’re fully committed to investing long term in this initiative.”
Dying to Know day events:
• Dying to Know Day Devonshire Tea for Mackay Base Hospital Staff, Monday 8 August 9:30-10:30am at Mackay Base Hospital
• Dying to Know Day breakfast, morning tea and afternoon tea events for Proserpine Hospital staff, Monday 8 August Proserpine Hospital
• Dying to Know Day Community Presentation, Thursday 11 August 2 – 3pm, Reception Room, Floor 1, Mackay Regional Council Administration Building, Gordon St, Mackay. All community members welcome. Informative presentation and chance to talk to a panel to have your questions answered about advance care planning.
• Primary Health Care Providers event, Care at the End of Life – “Dying in the 21st Century: Planning for a finite life”, Thursday 11 August 6.30am – 8.30pm, Mater JCU Clinical Training Centre, Lecture Rooms 2-3, Willetts Road, North Mackay (behind Mater Medical Suites). Presented by Dr Will Cairns and Dr Richard Malone.
• GP breakfast and round table discussion with Dr Will Cairns, Friday 12 August 7am – 8.30am, NQPHN Sydney St.
• Dr Will Cairns presenting at Grand Rounds at the Mackay Base Hospital to clinical staff, including the Queensland Ambulance Service: case study presentation about care at end of life, Friday 12 August 12noon -1.30pm, Mackay Base Hospital.
• Seniors Expo 16 August, 9am -1pm at Senior Citizens Centre. NQPHN in collaboration with Mackay HHS will host a stall providing information about advance care planning, and the opportunity to speak one on one with Project Officer and clinician, Tania Kelly.
More Information
Danielle Jesser, Media and Communications Manager
mhhs-comms@health.qld.gov.au
Phone 0417 756 221