Page 20 - TOH_4x_concept collection

Hāpaitia te ara tika pūmau ai te rangatiratanga mō ngā uri whakatipu
Foster the pathway of knowledge to strength, independence and growth for future generations
Education and learning are considered an integral and valued part of everyone’s role at Te Omanga to ensure specialist clinical knowledge and promotion of palliative care within the Hutt Valley community.
With creative planning and rescheduling we were able to run most of our external courses despite the continuing challenges of the pandemic environment.
LEARNING AND KNOWLEDGE
Changing Minds Conference
Together with the local Aged Residential Care facilities, we have been holding this conference every second year since 2007, to stimulate discussion around challenges faced by those working in the fields of gerontology and palliative care, to bring about significant and positive change for the people we care for and their families by sharing our collective knowledge and expertise.
We were thrilled to hold our successful conference, “Bringing the Essence of Palliative Care Back Home” in October 2021 after it
was postponed due to COVID restrictions. What was intended to
be a conference attended in person was redeveloped into a virtual conference. Through the magic of technology our international keynote speakers Yoko Sen, a Sound Alchemist and Dr Rajagopal, the Founding Chairman of Pallium India, delivered the presentations virtually.
Building and supporting our workforce
During the 2021/22 year we saw a continued increase in the number
of our registered nurses with professional development recognition programme (PDRP) attainment or elevation of PDRP status. 79% of
the Hospice nursing workforce have a Postgraduate or Masters level qualification, or are actively working towards same and 40% have
their PDRP Proficient or above, with a further 20% currently working towards their portfolio. This exceeds national standards for a specialist palliative care service.
We continued to host medical trainees at various stages of training to support the goal of increasing Palliative Care skills and knowledge of doctors across all disciplines. This included Palliative Medicine Advanced Trainees, Registrars, House Surgeons, and undergraduate medical students.
Education for Patients and Families and Friends as Carers
We held a series of free informal educational sessions – Where the Landscape Lies – for patients living with a life limiting illness. This provided an opportunity to share thoughts with others in a unique but similar situation. They discussed topics such as what you can expect at the end of life, questions we have about dying, open and honest conversations and what’s important to me right now.
We also held a series of free informal educational sessions for the family carer – A Map Through the Forest – on practical issues caring for one's loved one at home. The sessions provided a space to meet others in a similar situation, to learn practical tips for end-of-life care and to build strength to work with the ups and downs of being a carer.