Nicole Heneka receiving award from Palliative Care Australia President, Dr Jane Fischer
IMPACCT and PaCCSC staff had reason to celebrate at the Oceanic Palliative Care Conference in September. Nicole Heneka was awarded a National Palliative Care Award in the category of Individual Award - Emerging Researcher and Professor Meera Agar was recognised with the Outstanding Teamwork Award for her work in the PEACH Program Care Team at South Western Sydney Local Health District.
The biennial oceanic Palliative Care Conference is the pre-eminent event in the Oceanic region for anyone interested in quality palliative care at the end of life. Held at the Perth Exhibition Centre, IMPACCT and PaCCSC had a strong presence with a well-attended stand, posters and presentations.
A highlight was the Palliative Care Awards Gala Dinner where the team celebrated IMPACCT and PaCCSC contributions to the conference including the wonderful recognition of Nicole and Meera with their awards.
Professor Meera Agar and PEACH team receiving award from Palliative Care Australia President, Dr Jane Fischer
The PaCCSC RAPID program was represented by two posters and a mini oral presentation by Professor Katherine Clark on Targin Deprescribing, Belinda Fazekas gave a presentation on Contemporary Ethical Challenges.
Professor Deborah Parker chaired a panel themed Oceans of Opportunities: Living, Ageing and Dying with Dementia and facilitated a workshop on Improving Palliative Care and Advance Care Planning for Older Australians. Professor Jane Phillips facilitated two workshops entitled Managing Chronic Breathlessness in the Palliative Care Setting and Managing Challenging Wounds at End of Life.
PaCCSC National Manager, Linda Brown, said, "Opportunities for palliative care health professionals, researchers and consumers to come together en masse are very limited. OPCC is an enabler, raising awareness and building the palliative care community of practice across the country and the region."