Host: Kirsty Mann
Guests: Jenna Cook and Sean Thompson 

About this episode:
In this episode, Kirsty talks to paramedics Jenna and Sean about advance care planning.  

Jenna and Sean outline their journeys to working in the field of advance care planning and their respective roles within different district health boards in Aotearoa New Zealand. They share their knowledge and expertise around all aspects of advance care planning - what it is, why it's so important, and how paramedics can be part of the process to help support the delivery of patients' shared goals of care.  

Death and dying can be a confronting topic and yet it's relevant to every single one of us. We discuss how to have conversations about death and dying, and some of the legal implications surrounding this in paramedic practice. During the podcast, Sean and Jenna refer to additional information and resources for paramedics who want to learn more about advance care planning, which can be found at the following websites:  

Aotearoa New Zealand: https://www.hqsc.govt.nz/our-work/advance-care-planning/
Australia: https://www.advancecareplanning.org.au/

Thanks for listening, we hope you enjoy this conversation

About Jenna:
Jenna has worked in the pre-hospital setting since 2006 and has a strong passion for palliative care. She holds a Masters of Health Practice in Paramedicine which sees her qualified as an Extended Care Paramedic. She is currently undertaking PG study in Palliative Care at the University of Auckland. She is very passionate about her role as an Advance Care Planning Facilitator and the powerful and meaningful connections it creates. Jenna is a Mum to three kids, aged 2,4 and 6 who take up the vast majority of her time and who she couldn't be more proud of. Jenna lives for the outdoors and spending time near the ocean; she needs no excuse to refuel her tank with a hike, bike, run, swim or walk. 

About Sean:
Sean is the Advance Care Planning manager for the three district health boards in the lower North Island of New Zealand. He is an intensive care paramedic with Wellington Free Ambulance and sits on Te Kaunihera Manapou New Zealand Paramedic Council. He's a proud dad of two young children and three elderly chickens and takes every opportunity to escape to the hills with his running shoes or hiking boots. 

About Kirsty:
Kirsty is a registered paramedic with over 15 years of experience in a variety of roles within Aotearoa New Zealand's ambulance sector. In her role with the Australasian College of Paramedicine, Kirsty is committed to supporting paramedics' access to quality CPD that improves patients' experience and outcomes, and that meets the educational needs of paramedics to maintain professional registration.