We welcomed Patrick to the team in January this year. Patrick has completed his medical training in the UK and subsequently moved to Australia in 2012. He has travelled and worked across many states as part of his post-graduate training, prior to subspecialising in both palliative medicine and general practice later in his career. We sat down to chat with Patrick to find out how and why he has chosen to specialise in palliative care. 

“From my earlier days of training, I found medicine to be very fast-paced and disease-oriented. Whilst I intellectually enjoyed the experience, there was little personal interaction with patients and families which made it seem quite transactional. When I stumbled across palliative care, I found that medical care can be provided quite differently. It gave me the opportunity to treat the patient as a whole and to engage at a more meaningful level. Just as a surgeon finds it fulfilling to treat patients with their hands, I found it equally rewarding to treat patients with active listening and empathy in addition to my medicine toolkit.”

This is what attracted Patrick to becoming a Specialist Palliative care Physician. 

“There is a pre-conceived misunderstanding of Palliative care. Palliative Care is very much about focusing on living, not dying. Our aim is to maximise one’s life and well-being based on their goals and their wishes. For this to occur, we need to get to know them. Specialist Palliative Care is truly the epitome of person-centred care. There is just so much to do and to offer!

A large part of what we do is education. We spend time explaining to our clients and other medical professionals about what Palliative Care is. A significant advantage of specialist palliative care is that it is delivered by a specialised multidisciplinary team.”

At Peninsula Home Hospice these multi disciplines include Nurses, Doctors, Counsellor/Case Workers, a Music Therapist, Client Resource Advocates and a Volunteer Leader. 

“We all work together, to help overcome what are very complex and challenging circumstances for our clients. The person with the illness is at the heart and centre of everything we do. We work collaterally with various health care providers that are already in the client’s life, from GPs, oncologists, and other specialist doctors to ensure continuity of care.

The benefits of specialist palliative care are vast for clients and families; we are there regardless of where you are or how you are.

Rather than treating patients and families as clients, we see them as part of our family. We are present not only when they are unwell, but we also share good times as well. We provide clinical and emotional support for patients as well as their carers and families. We also extend our service to include grief and bereavement counselling where support is required. That is the essence of Specialist Palliative care.”

If you have any questions about Specialist Palliative Care and how Peninsula Home Hospice could support you or someone you know, click here for more information or  contact us via phone or email admin@peninsulahospice.com.au