IN light of National Palliative Care Week, (11-17 May), residents in the Far West Local Health District are encouraged to learn about the importance of palliative care and advanced planning.
By considering, communicating and documenting future health care wishes in advance, decisions can be made by healthcare professionals even if you’re unable to speak for yourself.
FWLHD director of cancer and palliative care services Melissa Cumming said the week was a good prompt to encourage discussions regarding life and death.
“In our society, talking about serious illness and death are not topics that people are always comfortable with,” she said.
“However, it’s very important to consider what our wishes are for our future health care if we become very unwell or can’t speak for ourselves.”
An information stand will be held in the Broken Hill Hospital Foyer regarding advance care planning on Wednesday, May 14 from 9am until 2pm.
“Members of the public, staff and our partners in health are invited to come and talk with our multidisciplinary palliative care staff members about palliative care or the services we provide,” Ms Cumming said.
FWLHD advance care planning officer Michelle Powell will be answering questions about care planning and directives.
“Having these conversations with our family and health care providers, and documenting our wishes, helps to ensure the care we receive is based on our values and wishes,” Ms Powell said.
