News

Far West LHD Palliative Care Service is pleased to announce that the first intake of Community Palliative Care Volunteers have completed the 25 hour Induction Training Program to prepare them for volunteering in the community.

Four volunteers were presented their Certificate of Achievement at a graduation ceremony on July 27. Unfortunately two successful applicants were unable to attend this round of training, and will be included in the next training cohort.

Janet Pearce, Community Palliative Care Volunteer Coordinator, said: “The volunteers are all excellent listeners, warm, empathetic and compassionate people with a strong commitment to volunteering with palliative care. The volunteers will be matched with patients to ensure compassionate and person centred support for the patient and their carers to enhance their quality of life”.

Director of Cancer and Palliative Care Services in Far West LHD,  Melissa Cumming, congratulated the small but dedicated team of volunteers on completing their training. She also thanked the NSW Ministry of Health for funding the Volunteer Coordinator position that enabled this service come to fruition.

Melissa went on to say “I also wish to thank Janet for her wonderful work in ensuring this service was grounded on a solid foundation and comprehensive volunteer training. Community palliative care volunteer services have not existed in Broken Hill since the 1990’s, so this group of volunteers are a welcome inclusion as members of our team. The new community volunteers along with the existing in-patient palliative care volunteers, who have now come under our direct management, will be well supported by Janet as they in turn, enhance the lives of those people they serve”.

Pic: Community Palliative Care Volunteer service graduates Susan Lukoschek, Tracey Dolamore, Dorothy Henderson and Priscilla Mercieca with FWLHD’s Melissa Cumming (far left) and Janet Pearce (far right).