Palliative Care Victoria CEO visits Southern Area Hospice Services
Southern Area Hospice Services welcomed Adjunct Associate Professor Violet Platt, CEO of Palliative Care Victoria. The Professor was visiting the UK and Ireland as a part of fact-finding tour in line with the strategic plan for Palliative Care Victoria.
Palliative Care Victoria was established in 1981 and is the peak body for palliative care organisations in Victoria, Australia. They represent over 180 organisations and individual members.
The reason for her visit to Southern Area Hospice Services, was to learn more about the Hospice Out of Hours Service and what is available to patients and their families through the Community Outreach Services. These high value palliative care initiatives are being considered for introduction into Victoria.
The Professor had a tour around the building which includes the 14-bed inpatient unit, bereavement counselling rooms, complementary therapy suites, patient gym, reflection room and chapel as well as the beautiful gardens. Whilst visiting, the Professor spoke to the Community Services Manager and the Patient and Family Support Team Manager to learn more about the services provided. They discussed the development of the Out of Hours Service and the impact that their Community Services is having on local patients and their families.
Adjunct Associate Professor Violet Platt, commented, “I am very impressed with the range and focus of services which are developed to meet the individual needs of each person. The team are passionate and committed about the services they deliver. I have gained many valuable insights today and thank the team for their generous sharing of knowledge and time. It was a very worthwhile experience that we will certainly benefit from in Victoria. “
Bernadette Farrell, Community Services Manager for Southern Area Hospice Services said, “It was a privilege to meet the CEO of Palliative Care Victoria to discuss how we developed our Hospice Out of Hours Service and Community Outreach Services. In return we were able to gain an insight into palliative care services in Victoria and Western Australia. I took great pleasure in showing her around the building and introducing her to some of the team. We wish her well on the rest of her tour.”
The team at Southern Area Hospice would like to thank Professor Platt for visiting and for her commendations on the care provided by the organisation.
You can learn more about the services available for patients and their families who are living with a palliative illness as well as those who are bereaved due to a palliative illness at Southern Area Hospice here www.southernareahospiceservices.org/services.
Photo caption:
L-R Emily Murray, Patient and Family Support Team Manager, Southern Area Hospice Services, Adjunct Associate Professor Violet Platt, CEO of Palliative Care Victoria, Bernadette Farrell, Community Services Manager, Southern Area Hospice Services.
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For further information, please contact Ciara Cunningham, Communications Manager, 07980757097, cunninghamc@southernareahospiceservices.org
