The role of culture in palliative care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples builds on over 60 000 years of history and includes practices to support a good “finishing up”. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community, clinicians and academics have identified the need for better and more culturally responsive palliative care services. (MJA, 2022) 

Like Aboriginal view of health, palliative care embraces the physical, emotional, spiritual and cultural wellbeing of a patient and their family. It holistically focuses on quality of life to ensure the journey is one of comfort, dignity, cultural respect and honoured wishes. Aboriginal peoples have been delivering high quality care to sick community members for centuries but do not call it 'palliative care'. Caring for loved ones with a life limiting condition can take a significant emotional and physical toll on Aboriginal families. Accessing the appropriate palliative care services and resources can bring much support and healing to loved ones, families and communities. However, given the history, trauma and current experience of racism in healthcare, many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are not accessing palliative care and receiving the best quality of care and support (Shahid et al, 2013). 

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce are critical to breaking down the systemic barriers to accessing palliative care and reducing the subsequent impact of loss, grief and trauma for our community. This workshop will highlight our ways of knowing, being and doing when it comes to supporting community that are going home to Dreamtime. It will also emphasise what the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal health workforce can do to ensure that the palliative care delivered to Aboriginal families is culturally responsive, healing-informed and grounded in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander understandings of health and wellbeing.

With less COVID-19 restrictions, this year the cohorts of nursing students are ethnically diverse once again. These students come from all parts of the world. For some, their time in New Zealand has been extremely short prior to commencing their study in the Bachelor of Nursing programme. These students may be grappling with a new country, community, health care system and expectations of nursing in New Zealand. All of this and the addition of how we speak, the jargon and ‘kiwi’ nuances we use. The concepts of cultural safety, cultural competence and palliative care are new to many of them. 

The focus for this workshop: how can students be effectively taught these subjects in a way that the learning can be appropriately integrated into the workplace. This is considered from the perspective of cultural safety and competence in relation to palliative care.

Cultural Awareness - skills of critical thinking and reflection.  Relating development of these skills in self-awareness of knowledge and exposure to concepts in palliative care. Identification of possible biases and judgement that could impact on care provided. The student: who am I?

Cultural Sensitivity - knowledge of person centred care, sensitivity to individual need and planning of patient care. This occurs in collaboration with the patient, family and community people/team resources. Who is the patient? Who and what is important to them and the care provided?

Cultural Safety – recognition of the power imbalance in the therapeutic relationship. Working in partnership with the patient and identified resources. Accountability for care provided, advocacy in the ability to speak up and out for others. Effective communication; honesty and integrity in having challenging conversations related palliative care. 

An illuminating session that navigates the transformative power of intergenerational interactions. Drawing inspiration from the heart-warming dynamics observed in the television show 'Old People's Home for Four Year Olds,' Professor Kurrle delves into the profound benefits of connecting older individuals with young children and teenagers. Through research and real-world examples, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how these intergenerational relationships can foster emotional well-being and holistic growth for all involved, and how they can be implemented across the community.