South West Compassionate Communities Network endorsed by PHPCI

The South West Compassionate Communities Network in Australia, Oasis of Hope in Kericho County, Kenya and Getxo Zureki in Spain became the first three areas to be endorsed as Compassionate Communities via the new scheme from PHPCI. Each area presented their compassionate communities programme to a panel made up of members from PHPCI sharing how they started, their activities, resident engagement, impact and next steps. The three areas were able to demonstrate how they understood public health palliative care and in particular compassionate communities. The panel was really impressed with the examples that were shared and could see the dedication and commitment by all involved. An endorsement lasts for five years before an area needs to reapply and areas who achieve ‘Compassionate Community’ status have a logo they and their partners involved in the programme can use. Professor Luc Deliens, President of PHPCI said “we think it is important to recognise and celebrate the achievements of compassionate communities around the world and are pleased to announce the first three areas we have endorsed, each very different but doing some really important work.” Dr Emma Hodges who is Treasurer at PHPCI and leading the endorsement programme said “We are pleased to have started this endorsement programme which we will be continually reviewing, It was wonderful to hear some of the fantastic work happening globally to improve experiences relating to death, dying, loss and caregiving and celebrate these achievements with the endorsed compassionate community status” We will be having guidance published online soon and some webinars to support other areas who want to seek endorsement, we have more panel presentations being set up and I’m excited to hear more stories from around the world”. Prof Samar Aoun AM, Chair of the South West Compassionate Communities Network said in response to their endorsement “We are very pleased to have been awarded by PHPCI the Compassionate Community endorsement status. It acknowledges our community sustained efforts since 2018 in leading and partnering for a public health palliative care approach in the south west of Western Australia, both in awareness raising and educational initiatives and a focus on systems change.”

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust has launched a communication campaign to share a collection of videos encouraging patients to help ease winter pressures by using the trust’s walk-in centre or urgent treatment centre for non-emergency cases. “At this time of year there’s always pressure on the local health systems and by developing these videos, we will continue to play our part in helping to ease the demand on the busy A&E departments,” Lee McMenemy, Mersey Care’s divisional director for community care, said. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ecFdDp5p

Strengthening palliative care beyond borders 🌏. ‘When we talk about death back home, it’s not a straight-on subject that you will be comfortable talking about,’ says Evelyn Anisi, a Registered Nurse from the Solomon Islands’ National Referral Hospital. Evelyn and Dr Christee Roraimae recently joined #TeamCHS for a 10-day palliative care observership across Canberra Hospital, Clare Holland House, learning alongside our specialist palliative care teams, mentored and hosted by #TeamCHS Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner Kate Reed with support from the oncology team led by Professor Desmond Yip. The observership, supported by Palliative Care Australia and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Elimination and Prevention in Cervical Cancer program, is helping build the Solomon Islands’ first dedicated, integrated palliative care service, where patients’ goals and wishes are at the centre of care. ‘Most of the time, families and relatives are the ones who decide for the patient,’ said Dr Roraimae. ‘There’s a gap in helping patients have a so-called good death, one where their wishes and goals are understood.’ ‘They’re providing palliative care, but they’re not recognising it as that,’ explained Kate Reed. ‘The care is there, it just needs structure, training, and recognition.’ Professor Desmond Yip, who has been working with the Solomon Islands since 2016, says the progress is remarkable: ‘They’re daring to dream and seeing those dreams be realised.’ Evelyn and Christee co-presented with Kate at the Oceanic Palliative Care Conference 2025 in Brisbane, sharing lessons from both Canberra and Honiara with colleagues from across the region. 📸 Pictured: Evelyn Anisi, Dr Christee Roraimae, and Professor Desmond Yip, at Canberra Hospital. At Canberra Health Services, we’re proud to see our clinicians shaping care not only here at home, but across the Pacific. 💙 If you’re passionate about global collaboration, research, or improving health outcomes for all #TeamCHS is the kind of place where your work can truly make a difference. #PalliativeCare #TeamCHS #GlobalHealth #SolomonIslands #Collaboration #HealthLeadership #Oncology #PalliativeCareAustralia #DFAT #HealthCareCareers

Just 33% of older Michiganders are aware of palliative care, but — once explained to them — nearly 80% said they would be interested in receiving it if they had a serious illness. That's according to the latest poll extra from the Michigan Poll on Healthy Aging. Palliative care is the treatment of the discomfort, symptoms, and stress of serious illness. It aims to help a person live as well as they can with their illness by focusing on symptom control, psychosocial support, and advance care planning. The poll highlights key demographic differences — in Michigan and nationally — that may influence attitudes about palliative care and hospice, which includes palliative care and other supports at the end of life. View a summary of the full findings, comparisons to national data, and more: Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation https://lnkd.in/eNgJVq7S

Such important insights for Michigan’s aging population. At the Michigan Center for Rural Health, we’re committed to increasing awareness of palliative care and expanding access to high-quality, community-based services across rural Michigan.   With support from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund and other partners, we’re helping communities build local palliative care capacity through education, technical assistance, and funding opportunities.   Learn more about our palliative care efforts and available resources: 👉 https://lnkd.in/ewjCPZmJ #MiRuralHealth

🤝 Cultural competence is a skill—and a mindset. Healthcare teams can take actionable steps to deliver respectful, inclusive care: ✅ Ask & learn about cultural practices and values ✅ Use tools like the ETHNIC model to guide assessments ✅ Adapt care plans to reflect dietary, religious, or family needs ✅ Work with interpreters & community liaisons to bridge understanding Domain 6 of the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care reminds us that culturally responsive care is key to reducing health disparities and building trust. 📌 It’s not just about meeting medical needs—it’s about honoring identity. 🔗 Full blog: https://bit.ly/4c3jcqs #PalliativeCare #NCPGuidelines

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month! "Palliative care ... encompasses compassionate, patient-centered care throughout all stages of life. This approach not only alleviates physical symptoms, but also addresses emotional and psychological needs, fostering a supportive environment for both patients and their families." Every Friday this month, some of our amazing students from Dr. Chris Fortney’s Palliative and End of Life course (part of our certificate program) will share educational content. In this week's video, Kellie talks about palliative care across different life stages. Thanks for answering your calling to care with us!☺️ We hope this series will help you better understand what palliative care could do for you and your families if you are in need. Remember to ask your healthcare provider about palliative care! To learn more about our online Palliative and End of Life Care Certificate, visit: https://bit.ly/4n96EBI #PalliativeCare #TheOhioStateUniversity #CollegeOfNursing #BuckeyeNation

Silverchain and COORDINARE - South Eastern NSW PHN strengthen their partnership with new heart health and wellbeing program in South Eastern New South Wales. Healthy Hearts Healthy Minds is a free, nurse-led health prevention program designed to reduce cardiovascular disease and improve wellbeing across South Eastern New South Wales. The initiative builds on Silverchain’s longstanding partnership with COORDINARE, the South Eastern NSW Primary Health Network, and reflects our shared commitment to proactive, community-based care. Delivered by Silverchain’s experienced nursing team across nine GP practices, the program empowers people to take control of their heart health through personalised assessments, coaching, and connections to local support services. Read more. https://loom.ly/ApcK_SA

Franciscan Health Olympia Fields partnered with Array Behavioral Care to implement a telebehavioral health program that’s transforming emergency department care. 🔗 Read more about the program’s impact: https://lnkd.in/ezqJ_KGv

Research shows that short hospice stays are associated with poorer outcomes, including limited symptom management and reduced family satisfaction. Industry experts call for earlier hospice referrals to ensure patients receive timely and comprehensive end-of-life care. #HospiceCare #PatientOutcomes #QualityOfLife #EarlyEnrollment #EndOfLifeSupport https://lnkd.in/gFmkiWF4