Aim: To share the developmental success story of a service through growth and change.
Background: Goulburn Valley Hospice is a stand-alone Community Palliative Care service established in 1989 servicing the Greater Shepparton region of Northern Victoria. 
 Over the past two years GV Hospice has experienced:

·       high staff turnover including senior staff in the organisation (current average tenure for 15 permanent staff is 2.56 years)

·       the long-term impact of Covid on staff, 

·       two office relocations as a building was demolished and rebuilt  

·       devastating floods of October 2022 with staff members and their families still displaced.

During this time client numbers continued to increase, as did their complexity.  

Methods: Our presentation will explore how sustained excellence was achieved, how we planned for and coped with adversity while maintaining a high quality service inclusive of:
.      Staff understanding of PCOC and the how positive results lead to better outcomes for clients.

·       A positive staff culture

·       Focus on staff  health and well-being

·       A positive reputation and support from the Board and broader Community

·       Focus on post –graduate studies and professional development

·       Emergency planning and response, which included staff going above and beyond to provide care and creativity during the floods- e.g. taking a canoe to access a client to change a syringe driver, medical supplies were sent via canoe to meet a carer. Following a risk assessment, a staff member took a 4-wheel drive through flood waters to ensure a client had a peaceful death surrounded by family.
Results: GV Hospice has one of the highest ratings nationally; as measured by the Palliative Care Outcome Collaboration (PCOC – University of Wollongong) indicators. This has been achieved during a period of increasing change and challenge.