Country WA Primary Health Network was one of 11 PHNs from across the country granted funding by the Department of Health in 2018 to implement the Greater Choice for At Home Palliative Care Measure.
The Great Southern undertook a Compassionate Communities approach utilising a framework that seeks to increase patient/carer awareness of palliative care options (including advance care planning) and choices. It also facilitates greater community awareness of and integration into local assets and resources that can support end-of-life care at home.
Compassionate Communities is a cradle to grave public health approach. Since the end of this project, it has influenced a number of other projects in the Great Southern, including the Amity Health Albany Connected Communities project, focusing on social prescribing, as well as the Right Care First Time Where You Live Youth Mental Health project undertaken in partnership with the University of Sydney Brain and Mind Centre.
Albany has had a long history of compassion. Albany Community Hospice was one of the first in Australia opening in 1990 and remains to this day the only community hospice in WA. The city was also the first place in Australia to have a Compassionate Communities Charter to complement the commendable work undertaken by the community and service providers. In addition, there is a growing interest to explore the development of a Compassionate School and University within Albany.
Through these investments, Great Southern Compassionate Communities continues to build on the established alliances between community, businesses, local government, and health to foster collaboration between siloed professions and sectors, thereby strengthening the community, increasing health-seeking behaviours, and addressing the social determinants of health such as social connection.
Find out more and read the Compassionate Communities Charter on the City of Albany website.