Room 64 - A Palliative Care Podcast

In this episode of Room 64 we are joined by Cheryl SpillerBarwon Health MND Palliative Care Shared Care Coordinator Sharing information about her role, Cheryl provides a rareinsight into the unique role and the importance of working with MND andPalliative Care teams and patients across the Barwon SW Region. Highlightingthe importance of good communication, sharing information and developingpositiv...

In this episode of Room 64 we are joined by Kristy Plenter and Kristy Larkins, Social Workers with the Community Palliative Care team at Barwon Health. Sharing information about their role and providing a rare insight into the importance of working with palliative care patients and their families across the Barwon South West region. Please take the opportunity to listen to this episode and share t...

In this episode of Room 64 - A Palliative Care Podcast, we're joined by Karen Sariego who is an aged care and disability palliative care link nurse. Sharing information about her role in the aged care and disability sector, Karen provides a rare insight into the unique role and the importance of working with aged care and disability service providers across the Barwon South West region to ensu...

In this episode of Room 64 we are joined by senior dietitian Justine Watts from the Barwon Health Palliative Care service. Sharing information about her role as a dietitian Justine talks about the team approach to supporting patients to achieve their goals through their palliative care journey. This episode is a rare insight into the unique role of the dietitian, the importance of working with oth...

In this episode of Room 64 we are joined by occupational therapist Monique Walsh and [hysiotherapist Brendan Illyett from the Barwon Health palliative care service. Sharing information about their roles, Brendan and Monique talk about the team approach to supporting patients to achieve their goals (no matter how small or big) through their palliative care journey. This episode offers a rare insigh...

In this episode of Room 64 - A Palliative Care Podcast, we are joined by Jess Bosnjak who is sharing her experience with palliative care when her mum Vicki was diagnosed with cancer. Jess is interviewed by Amanda Myring who is a spiritual care worker in the Barwon Health Palliative Care team. This is an insightful conversation with Jess about her mum – her sense of humour, her compassion for other...

In this episode of Room 64, we are joined by Jenny Horvath sharing her experience with palliative care when her daughter Jess died at the age of 37 after a long illness.  Jenny talks about her relationship with Jess, the love they shared as a family and her health challenges. Throughout the journey Jess, self-described as "Zena the warrior woman", maintained a sense of humour and found s...

In this episode of Room 64 we are joined by Sharyn Milnes, iValidate Education Co-ordinator at Barwon Health and Joanna Leece, Partnering with Consumers Lead at Barwon Health. Sharyn and Joanna share their extensive knowledge about consumer (patient) engagement in medical decision making plus information about the project they are working on together that has a focus on supporting consumers to be...

We are joined by Molly Carlile AM, Manager of PEPA & IPEPA Victoria (Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach), free Australia wide program that offers workshops and placements in the palliative approach to care. PEPA works closely with Barwon Health providing opportunities throughout the Barwon South West for workers in aged care and disability services. Molly shares her extensive kno...

Barwon South West Region voluntary assisted dying (VAD) care navigator Jill Mann gives an overview of VAD legislation, the care navigator service, and how people can find out more information.

Sharyn Milnes joins the Room 64 podcast to discuss the iValidate program, an initiative from Barwon Health and Deakin University. iValidate is a unique and innovative program focusing on effective communication between medical professionals and their patients and families, with Sharyn working as the program's education co-ordinator.

Palliative Care nurse practitioner Meg Harrison speaks about the amazing work of the Cachexia Clinic, its positive impact on patients and their families, and how Barwon Health is a leader and innovator in this space. Please take the opportunity to listen and share through your networks to keep the conversations happening.

In this episode of Room 64, we are joined by Dr Michael Axtens. Michael works with Deakin University and Barwon Health and shares his knowledge of the background to palliative care and in particular the passionate vision of Dr Trevor Banks, a pioneer for hospice and palliative care in Geelong. Michael also talks about the important work of the iValidate Project and the benefits to patients, their...

In this episode of Room 64, we are joined by Russell Armstrong and Sue Strong from the Barwon Health Palliative Care Dignity Therapy team. Russell shares his extensive knowledge and experience as the Dignity Therapy team manager and we also hear from Sue about the privilege of volunteering with the team and engaging with palliative care patients as they share their life stories for family and frie...

Join Steve Trumble as he shares about caring for his wife Therese through her oesophageal cancer, including her end-of-life journey at home with the love, care and support of her family, affectionately known as Team Therese.

Room 64 is joined by Jill Mann from Barwon Health's Advance Care Planning team, who shares her experience and the role of the Advance Care Planning program in supporting people to plan for future health, care and medical treatments. The program identifies goals, values and medical preferences where individual needs and priorities are documented for the future. Who would make medical treatment...

Kat Dunell joins Room 64 to share her experience with the Barwon Health Palliative Care team, after her husband Brett Smith was diagnosed with melanoma at age 43 and died seven years later. Given melanoma is the second most common cancer for men in Australia, Kat's message is “Take it seriously. Get your skin checked every year. Find out if you're high risk or low risk”. This episode featu...

Room 64 is joined by members of the McKellar Singing Group, as part of the Palliative Care program at Barwon Health. This choir came together through grief and now sings in the McKellar Chapel, celebrating a generosity of spirit through music. “Bringing a group of bereaved people together... creates a great layer of comfort and hope.”

Clinical nurse coordinator Robyn Matheson joins the podcast to talk about running Barwon Health's Pal@Home program, which won a Victorian Public Health Care Award in the category of “improving the integration of care for patients with chronic and complex conditions”. During Palliative Care Week, it is important to reflect on the exceptional palliative care service provided by Barwon Health and...

“When we think about the human animal bond there’s no time that we’re more vulnerable than when we’re facing the loss of a pet.” In this conversation for World Veterinary Day, Dr Alicia Kennedy from Cherished Pets shares her experiences working in the unique area of palliative veterinary care.   Alicia also discusses ways in which Cherished Pets helps support Barwon Health patients who are at the...

Tonya Court returns to chat with her son Owen, who was six when his father died 12 years ago. Now 18, Owen reflects on his memories of his dad playing Lego and making music, and their connection through his drums, the importance of creating the space for conversations, and that there is “no timeline for grief”. Find out more about organisations supporting young people with grief and loss: Wombats...

In this episode of Room 64, we talk to Tash and Tonya from Lighthouse Friends, a support group for young parents with young children who have experienced the death of their partners. We share the experience of dealing with the journey of grief and life with small children, the value of friends helping each other and “shining a light” in grief. Find out more about Lighthouse Friends via their Faceb...

Nurse consultant Melanie Davies from the Barwon Health Palliative Care team talks to Brian MacAfee about challenges facing people with Motor Neuron Disease, his experience living with the disease, and how his family is raising funds to offer practical support for people impacted by MND in the region.

Clinical nurse consultants Nicole Morrison and Ruth Morrison talk about their role in advocating for palliative patients, as well as the importance of empowering patients and their carers through education.

Tonya Court shares her thoughts and experiences with Jen and Christine about the patient-centred care of the Barwon Health Palliative Care team, the impact of death and grief on her young family, her life changes, and how she is connecting with others by starting up a support group for young women with children whose partners have died, called “Lighthouse Friends”.