OTAGO HOSPICE OFFERS PALLIATIVE MASTER CLASSES FOR GPS

Hospice CEO Ginny Green says a key role of the Hospice as a specialist provider is to provide as much support and education as it can to GPs; those at the coalface, who are dealing with all kinds of palliative patients.

“While we are in the mix when it comes to those requiring specialist care, GPs are the most important part of a patient’s care whether on the Hospice Programme or not.

It’s really important that we do all we can to help GPs broaden their skills, and ensure we are supporting them and sharing our expertise. They are the ones at the coalface, and they are the ones who need our support,” says Ms Green.

The Master Classes are focussed on sharing specialist Hospice knowledge of palliative care in the primary health setting. These sessions use real case examples as a backdrop to learning. The interactive sessions also enable GPs to share their own experiences.

“These classes are a really important component of broadening palliative care in our region. The Hospice’s education focus is to support our primary care colleagues to help them provide palliative care for all in the community, not just those on our programme.”

The Master Classes, covering end of life prescribing, Advance Care Planning, the principles of pain management and ethical challenges faced in palliative care, are led by Dr David Butler, the Hospice’s Clinical Leader.

Dr Butler trained in three specialties in the U.S. (Palliative Medicine, Internal Medicine and Paediatrics) before arriving in Dunedin in 2015 and attaining certification in Palliative Medicine. His varied career and broad experience as a GP, Specialist in Hospital Medicine and Palliative Medicine doctor have informed his desire to refine care delivery models and fostered a keen interest in educating others in the healthcare field around effective communication with patients/family/whanau and within the healthcare teams.

The Master Classes start on Tuesday 7 May, and then 14th May and 4th June ending on the 11th of June. Registration is essential. More information can be found on our website

https://otagohospice.co.nz/education/events/ or phone the Hospice Education Coordinator Glenda Hall on 03 473 1041.