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Message from the Area

Manager Palliative Care,

Janeane Harlum

To all Palliative Care Volunteers,

It is with much pleasure that I take this opportunity

to thank all of you for your contribution to palliative

care patients, their families and the palliative care

service. On behalf of the entire team across the dis-

trict, we thank you for your generosity of time, pa-

tience, dedication and skills. This year has again

been a busy one and you have achieved so much.

Highlights have included your contribution to fund-

raising which resulted in the much appreciated ad-

dition of beds for patients in the community, par-

ticipation in this years’ inaugural "Dying To Know

Day" which aimed to promote people thinking

about and talking about dying, their wishes and

telling others. Your ongoing assistance with ward/

unit craft activities, jolly trolley, art trolley, singing

and entertainment for special events. In community,

working with individual patients and providing sup-

port to carers. To those that assist with preparing

bereavement cards, packs

and memorial services, we

could not do it without you. I

also acknowledge the work of

Arlene Roache who works

extremely hard in organising

events, chasing funding for

the service, completing award

nominations and promoting

the important work of the vol-

unteers to everyone from staff, high level managers,

media and the community.

On behalf of the service we wish all of you a very

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We look

forward to working with you in 2016.

The year in review: Reflec-

tions from the SWSLHD Pal-

liative Care Volunteer Coor-

dinator, Arlene Roache

A quote which really resonates with me is "Life is

not measured by the number of breathes that we

take, but by the moments that take our breath

away." - George Carlin. As I reflect on 2015, I see a

myriad of faces, each one telling a story. These

faces come from many different backgrounds and

have different life experiences, yet they all have

one thing in common ...their willingness to give

their time to help others. I am humbled by the

continued generosity of spirit and compassion that

they show for others. It is all these SWSLHD Pallia-

tive Care volunteers who so generously give their

time, warmth and humour who take my breath

away.

The service continues to expand with a strong em-

phasis placed on ongoing education and support

for the volunteers. Simultaneously, education for

staff across the LHD on the role of the volunteer in

Palliative Care continues with in-services provided

in the hospital as well as in the community. An in-

terview with the local community radio station

was undertaken to promote the service in the

community.

20 volunteers made the pilgrimage to the spec-

tacularly beautiful and serene Nan Tien temple at

Wollongong for the 2015 National Palliative Care

Volunteer Conference. They felt privileged and ex-

cited to mingle with other volunteers from across

NSW and to hear and learn from the well accred-

ited guest speakers. Each of these speakers deliv-

ered exceptional and insightful presentations.

The service welcomed 22 new volunteers this

year. A recent graduate of the 6 week volunteer

training program

is Cabramatta

resident Lawson

Ung, who has just

completed his

studies in Medi-

cine. He says " I

think it would also

help me become a

better doctor in

A yearly news sheet from the SWSLHD Volunteer Service

SWSLHD Pal l ia t i v e

Car e Volun t e e r Ser v i c e

December 2015

Camden Memorial Service

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the future as I would gain an appreciation of what's

impor-

tant to

dying pa-

tients."

One of

the high-

lights

worthy

of men-

tion is the annual carol singing in ward CB4C, Liver-

pool Hospital and the Camden Palliative Care Inpa-

tient Unit. "Amazing! Can we do this more often,"

exclaimed a staff member. "I wish you can sing for

me all day," a patient remarked.

Let me once again thank the volunteers, palliative

care teams, all hospital and community staff and the

executive members in our hospitals and community

for their recognition and continued support of the

program.

May your Christmas and New Year be filled with

good Health, Joy, Hope, Peace, Love, Traditions,

Faith, Goodwill, Family and Friends.

Our volunteers share their stories Susie Thomas – Liverpool CB4C/Hospital

Being a Palliative Vol-

unteer in Ward 4C is

unlike other kinds of

volunteering because

the people I meet

and support are at

the end of their

or their loved one's

life journey that

came suddenly due

to Cancer or other

terminal illness. These patients

are filled with all kinds of emo-

tions due to pain, imminent

death, unfinished plans in their

lives or leaving behind their loved ones to cope. At

times I have been of some support, diverted their

negative thoughts and been of some company and

other times had to stay away due to their emotional

and physical state as reported and advised by the

staff. I take it in my stride as that is Palliative Care. I

visit the ward as a volunteer once a week and also

assist in special events planned for the residents and

relatives in the ward.

I pray before each visit that I will say the right thing

and be of help. I have been uplifted and encouraged

to see how strong and resilient many of the patients

are.

Joan Casey – Bankstown Community

I am a Palliative Care Volunteer with SWSLHD. I have

been volunteering for almost 5 years, and visit clients

in the community in the Bankstown area.

In March 2014 I was asked to visit a 39 year old Viet-

namese lady, married with 2 primary school aged chil-

dren and no immediate relations in Australia. This is

when my journey began.

Initially the visits were difficult due to language prob-

lems, but over time her English improved dramatically.

Maybe this was due to my English lessons. During my

visits we would drink tea and talk about all things in

general. I would also help her if she needed to make

telephone calls to various government departments.

During school holidays I would take her and the chil-

dren to McDonalds or on short shopping outings. At

times I would also take her to Doctor's appointments.

Fortunately she received a visit from her sister in Viet-

nam and her sister from America.

As time progressed and her condition became worse I

would just sit with her and gently hold her hand. Her

main concern was that all her affairs were in order-

which they were.

In June 2015 I was due to go on holidays. I saw her

prior to leaving and was informed a couple of days

later that she had died. This was where my journey

ended.

I feel extremely blessed to have known this wonderful

gracious and courageous lady.

To all the Community

nurses and the Palliative

Care Volunteer Coordina-

tor I am extremely grate-

ful for your care and sup-

port given to me at all

time.

Marj Salter – Bankstown

Hospital

As a new volunteer suitably

trained and excited to be a functional member of the

Palliative Care team, I approached my first patient

with some trepidation. I needn’t have worried, he was

a ‘60’ something gentleman who was near the end of

his life. I remember thinking how young he was! I in-

troduced myself and gently asked a few questions. He

began to revisit his life in the mining industry and I

was amazed at his memory, his intellect and his inter-

esting journey of hard work and study, and of his

many accomplishments. He talked of his new family

overseas, where they resided, whilst he sought care in

Joan Casey (left), Marj Salter (right)

Susie Thomas (far right) “I visit the ward as a volunteer and assist in special events planned for the resi-dentas and relatives”

“I wish you could sing to me all day,” a patient remarked

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Australia. It had become apparent he was not going

to be able to travel home, so he eagerly awaited the

arrival of his wife.

I felt privileged to spend time and hear his life’s

journey over my next few visits. I felt that I should

have thanked him for making me feel comfortable!

Listening was easy and I do believe he enjoyed the

opportunity to re-tell his tale. I learnt a lot about

the skill of listening quietly, and about feeling com-

fortable with his expressed emotions. I felt grateful

to have this opportunity in becoming a safe sound-

ing board, where he could express some regrets, en-

tertain some boasting and thank me for being there!

My friend, I thank you for allowing me to humbly

fulfil my beginning attempts and in giving me the

courage to continue growing and volunteering in

palliative care. He died two days after his wife ar-

rived.

Silence by Lawson Ung (Reflections of a Pallia-tive care volunteer) Ashen faced and owl-eyed,

she sat by the window star-

ing vacantly. Mrs S (a pseu-

donym) was a woman who

was much younger than first

appearances would suggest,

but you would not know it

by her gaunt frame, the nu-

merous worried lines on her

brow that had become more pronounced over re-

cent weeks, her sunken sallow cheeks. I could tell

from quite early on that this was a woman who was

dying, and indeed suffering terribly. Acutely aware

of my limited life experiences, my own fears about

death and not really knowing how I could help this

woman, I gathered the courage to introduce myself

nonetheless.

“I’m Lawson, I’m a palliative care volunteer ” I be-

gan, before being cut off.

“Please, have a seat,” she replied with a weak smile.

Taken aback, I drew a seat by her bed and sat next

to her. Silence is something which I had never be-

friended – acquainted of course – but never com-

fortable enough to sit down with. I sat there anx-

iously, not knowing what to say but hoping that

somehow the words would come and fill the void,

to perhaps in a small way heal some of her anguish.

Where there’s emptiness, it seems to me at least

that our instinct is to fill it because surely – surely,

something is better than nothing.

Thankfully, after some time, Mrs S opened her eyes

and told me her story.

The relief.

Our conversation took hours but it seemed like

mere moments. She told me about her children, her

grandchildren, her hobbies, her home… and then

her deepest fears and insecurities, all the things she

had wished she had done but did not – things that,

given the understanding offered by the fullness of

time that she could have done differently. And what

if she’d be forgotten? What about her garden,

surely there’d be weeds all over by now. And good

grief, what about the children who needed their

mother? What about her neighbours who did not

know she had been readmitted to the palliative care

ward?

I didn’t have any answers as she poured her heart to

me, and not knowing any better, I offered to pen a

number of letters that she could send to her friends.

The effect was stunning – Mrs S sat up energetically,

this time with a grin, wanting to know when we

could get started. “Today?” she asked. “Now,” I re-

sponded sheepishly, baffled at how a simple offer

could mean so much. I sat down writing her words

verbatim, and seeing her joy, we posted the letter

with the hope her friend would be able to see her in

the coming days. It was then that I realised, then

and there, that this was something I was meant to

do, something that was perhaps just meant to be.

And then the silence came once again as Mrs S

drifted off to much needed sleep. But this time the

silence was different. It was easy.

Melbourne Cup Day - Pamela Bocking -

Camden Palliative Care

Inpatient Unit As usual, in the Camden

Palliative Care ward, we

held our Melbourne Cup

afternoon tea and sweep.

We had a few decorations,

china cups and saucers and

of course our own (gold

plastic) Melbourne Cup. I got into a conversation

with two family members of a patient and they told

me how the day before they had been sitting in our

beautiful garden. They could not believe how pretty

the mauve and green tree looked. This tree was of

course one of our Jacarandas. They studied the

form guide, found a jockey in mauve and green and

placed a bet. This was of course on the horse that

won the Melbourne Cup. They expressed to me

how much they enjoyed celebrating the day with us,

yet at the same time, being very close to their loved

one.

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Feedback

...from a patient “Just wonderful to

give their time. The

massages are beauti-

ful. I save the lollies

from the trolley for

my revolting medi-

cine” – Violet McCahon (patient)

...from a carer “They talk to you make you forget

all, keep your mind of different

problems that you have. The little

functions.... that’s very very good,

that’s an excellent idea. The vol-

unteers get us together and It

makes the relatives realise that

they are not the only one suffer-

ing. We start to talk and share

problems and realise we are not

alone. The work they do is nice and very important”

– Diana Bravo (family member)

...and from a staff member We are grateful for the

care our volunteers give

to our patients, which we

are not always able to

give because of time con-

straints. I have seen the

benefit of volunteers

chatting with patients,

their gentle touch

through the hand mas-

sages. Just their presence

on the ward complements the work of the health

care professionals says Dr Michelle Petersen, Pallia-

tive Care Registrar.

Fundraising and Donations Volunteers

raised a total

of $5526

through

fundraising

initiatives

and dona-

tions. All

monies

raised are

used towards patient related activities conducted by

the volunteers.

Recognition and Awards Chris Leahy, General Manager, Bankstown Hospital,

chats with

the volun-

teers at the

2015 Christ-

mas Appre-

ciation

Lunch, Bank-

stown Hospi-

tal

Centre for Volunteering Sydney South

West Macarthur—2015 Volunteer Team of

the Year

The Palliative Care volunteers from South West Sydney LHD accept their certificate at an afternoon tea ceremony held at The Campbelltown Catholics meeting.

Carmen Pecorari, palliative care volunteer, massaging patient’s feet together with his daughter

Volunteers actively fundraise throughout the year

Volunteers at Camden Palliative Care Unit acknowledge Harry and Frances Warner,(3rd & 4th from right) our perpetual jolly trolley donors

2014-2015 saw an increase in the community referrals for volunteer support with a waiting list of 18 clients. The tables above indicate data collected from July 2010 – June 2015

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The year in pictures

Making a dying person’s

bucket list wish come true….

hosting a baby shower for

patient’s daughter

Staff and volunteers pro-moting palliative care week at Liverpool Hospital during 2015 National Palliative Care Week in May

Grant Isedale A/Director Clinical & Support and

Valerie Jovanovic General Manager Bowral Hospital

with volunteer Lynn Harris at the Dying to Know Day Barbara Chapman Director of Nursing & Midwifery Services

& Karen Steel Patient Liaison Officer, Fairfield Hospital sup-

port volunteer Susie Thomas on the Dying to Know Day stand

Rajani Nayak (1st from left),

assists with promoting Dy-

ing to know day in Liverpool

Ward CB4C now has a piano where

families and friends, staff and volun-teers can gather to play familiar tunes and enjoy quality time to-

gether. It will also be used for spe-

cial events and ceremonies, where patients and families gather for

reflection, prayer, meditation and religious ceremonies

Leanne, Pam and Judy promoting Palliative Care in Camp-

belltown Hospital with palliative care CNS Carol Hicks and

CNC Colleen Carter Monthly BBQs and donation of time by our

local Spanish dancers, provide entertainment

for the carers, patients and staff

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Alaisla Colbran

Australian Institute of Music

Bidvest Fresh

Carers NSW

Chris Pannucio

Christine Prestwidge

Craig Smith

Dr. Dion Forstner

Dorothy Sloane

Elishia Semaan

Mel McDonald

Madge Miranda

Mini Vinnies, St Clare’s Catholic

Primary School, Narellan Vale

Rhonda Ann BrownLee

Robin Giles

Rita Cordina

Schweppes Australia

Simplicity Funerals, Smithfield

Thornton Brother Roses, Thirlmere

Tommy Novak

Wrap With Love

Yvonne Kerr

Fred Timbrell

Felipe Martin

Harry and Frances Warner

Janeane Harlum

Janet Oglivie

Jenny M Watt

John Thornton Roses, Thirlmere

Julia Cordina

June Clarke

Kylie Perrin

Campbelltown Line Dancers

Macarthur Ulysees Bike Club

Thank you to our donors

Planning for 2016

• Pilot project assistance with feeding patients

• Formal launch of volunteers supporting carers and patients on Care for the Dying Plan

• Extend service to weekends and after hours

• Work in partnership with the community to further the potential of music therapy in meeting the

needs of the terminally ill and their families

The service farewelled Jo-Anne Craik-Cooper and Rebecca Sheely. We sincerely say thank

you and wish them well in their future endeavours.