The Chronicle

Hospice holds special breakfast

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TOOWOOMBA Hospice will celebrate the tireless efforts of palliative care workers and volunteers.

The National Palliative Care Breakfast will be held on Friday during National Palliative Care Week.

The week’s theme is What Matters Most? which asks Australian­s to reflect on what would be most important to them if they became seriously unwell.

The event, to be held on Friday, May 25 at Gip’s Restaurant from 6.45am will celebrate, acknowledg­e and thank palliative care workers for making a difference in people’s lives.

Guest Speaker this year is Marcella Cullen, a psychologi­st with the Palliative Outreach Care Team from Toowoomba Hospital.

The Productivi­ty Commission’s recent report into human services found between 80,000 and 140,000 of the 160,000 people who die each year in Australia could benefit from high-quality end-of-life care.

“Demand for palliative care

is increasing,” Toowoomba Hospice Director of Nursing Allison Leech said.

“Profession­als and volunteers are needed in our community to support patients and carers deal with dying, death and bereavemen­t.”

Mrs Leech said dying was a normal part of life, so it was important for all Australian­s to have discussion­s about the type of care they would want to receive if they could no longer speak for themselves.

“By having the conversati­on with their loved ones and health profession­als, people can ensure their treatment and care best aligns with their values and preference­s regarding both the type and place of care and place of death,” Mrs Leech said.

“We encourage everyone to discuss their end-of-life wishes with their loved ones and health care team using the Dying to Talk Resources.”

For more informatio­n on National Palliative Care Week visit palliative­care.org.au/national-palliative-care-week/.

Bookings for the breakfast can be made by calling Gip’s Restaurant on 4638 3588.

 ?? Photo: Contribute­d ?? COMMUNITY SUPPORT: Toowoomba Hospice’s Mark Munro promotes National Palliative Care Week at last year’s event.
Photo: Contribute­d COMMUNITY SUPPORT: Toowoomba Hospice’s Mark Munro promotes National Palliative Care Week at last year’s event.

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