We thank our ‘angels’ during Palliative Care Week

As the first dedicated palliative care facility in Central Australia, the Ampere Amantye-Akeme – or ‘comfort house’ in Arrernte – is special.

Ampere Amantye-Akeme Palliative Care Facility Social Worker Robyn Linsdell, Palliative Care Consultant Christine Sanderson and Nurse Management Consultant Natalie Anderson. Picture: ALYCE MOKRZYCKI

But just as four walls don’t make a house a home, it’s the staff who have lovingly nurtured this multipurpose facility into one renowned for its outstanding care of people who have serious or life-threatening illness.

And as part of National Palliative Care Week (24 – 30 May) this week, it’s these everyday heroes that we celebrate while reflecting on this year’s theme, ‘Palliative Care – It’s more than you think.’

“In terms of palliative care – we [society] look at honouring people when they give birth and try to give them a positive experience,” Nurse Management Consultant Natalie Anderson explained.

“But likewise, we look at honouring people when they are at the end of their life – one the family will look back on as a positive experience. That it was a ‘good death.’ And that’s really what we aim for here.”

Treating symptoms which may be physical, emotional, spiritual or social, the team at Ampere Amantye-Akeme work collaboratively with 45 different agencies to provide care at home, in hospital, in a hospice or at a nursing home – all while accommodating for the needs of 18 different language groups thanks to the exceptional assistance of a team of Aboriginal Liaison Officers.

“If a person comes to us unconscious and dying, we’re looking after their family and friends,” Palliative Care Consultant Christine Sanderson said.

“When people come to us earlier that’s when we have more time to help people prepare, get their affairs in order and be comfortable and make decisions about what treatment they want and where they want to be.

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“As they let us in and we become a part of their support system we have really wonderful relationships with people and it’s a real blessing.” And with half of patients admitted to the 10-bed facility returning home again, Social Worker Robyn Linsdell said though there were times her role was very movingly sad, working in palliative care was, contrary to common opinion, “also very life affirming.”

“It’s a privilege to be involved at that point in peoples and families lives,” she said.