Room 64 - A Palliative Care Podcast

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”.

As part of Dying To Know Day, Libby Maloney from Natural Grace Holistic Funerals in conversation with Barwon Health Palliative Care clinical nurse consultant Mel Davies, reflecting on end-of-life, and the importance of building confidence in families to honour the lives of the person they love through end-of-life planning.

Featuring the music “Go”  from Torquay singer/songwriter Gary Banks album “Live at the Courthouse”.

In this episode of Room 64, we acknowledge NAIDOC Week with Deeanna's story about her mum Mary, both proud indigenous women, and their experience in the Palliative Care Unit at Barwon Health.

Deeanna shares her mum's story of life and death, and how as a family they were able to say goodbye to Mary in their own home with love, flowers and a beautifully hand-painted coffin, according to Mary’s wishes.

As part of Palliative Care Week, Barwon Health chief executive Frances Diver talks about the role of palliative care in the wider organisation, as well as the importance of encouraging conversations in the community about death and dying.

As part of Palliative Care Week, we acknowledge the “It's more than you think!” campaign and highlight Barwon Health Palliative Care's “Have a Go” program. This episode features conversations with Nicky Craig from Wee Skitters and Tamika Cefai from Diamond Castings, as Nicky talks about how the simple act of making bears for others from the clothes of their loved ones has enabled her to acknowledge the experience of her grandmother in palliative care. Tamika shares the strength she gains from the memory of her sister and the pleasure she gets from the stories of the people that place their trust in her hands as she crafts amazing hand castings.

Interviewed by Christine Brooks Facilitator of Room 64 and Jen Walsh Palliative Care Volunteer Co-ordinator.

In line with Advance Care Planning Week, Marilyn Dolling talks about how the death of her husband Roger showed the value of Advance Care Planning, spending time with him in Barwon Health’s Palliative Care Unit, and the importance of family. Interviewed by Christine Brooks and Jen Walsh.