Reflected Legacy Palliative Care Program at Liverpool Hospital
Dry July is thrilled to be able to support 'Reflected Legacy', a ground breaking arts and health program at Liverpool Hospital. This program received funding from Dry July's 2015 Grant Program.
Lead by visual artist Flutter Lyon, this project complements the holistic care of cancer patients in palliative care, while enhancing and changing the physical environment for patients, families and staff on the ward.
How the Program Works
Flutter Lyon hosts Pressing Sessions in patient rooms; profound, interactive experiences between the artist and the patient that combine storytelling and art making. Through a series of questions and storytelling exercises Flutter captures the life stories of people in the last days and weeks of their life in unique Ink-Pressing artworks and sound recordings, which are then given to the patient and their family as a gift of art and legacy.
Image: A new Ink-Pressing filled with stories for Charles Schembri and his family. Captured 16th February 2016, Liverpool Hospital Palliative Care
Why the Program Exists
Connection. Insight. Healing.
When we tell our stories, it gives us a way of sharing and reflecting upon the life we are living. Free expression and storytelling in this setting offers a deepened sense of connection to the value and meaning of our individual and shared life experiences.
It can bring comfort, celebration and beauty during a challenging time in our lives, encouraging the recall of memories and key points in our life that we have felt free, joyous, loving and loved, strong and hopeful. By remembering what we have done and seeing the powerful nature of our human experience, it can help empower us to find the strength and bravery we might desire now.
What the Program Does
This powerful experience, when taken into the palliative care space, provides tangible outcomes:
-patients report improvements to their mood, pain management, appetite and sleep patterns;
families report feeling uplifted and more connected; and
staff report new insights into patient care and a greater sense of support and resilience within the ward environment
Who the Project is For
Patients and loved ones engaged in the Palliative Care services at Liverpool Hospital.
Charles Schembri and his family
This story was originally posted on Flutter Lyon’s Facebook Page
The new North West Cancer Centre in Burnie will be fully operational this year, offering support to North West Tasmanians receiving cancer treatment. Patients will soon be able to receive radiation oncology and other services in Burnie without needing to travel to Launceston.
Funds raised by Dry July in 2015 are being used to furnish a patient support and wellness centre at the campus. Items to be purchased include AV equipment, tables, chairs, couches, crockery and cutlery.
The PA Hospital in Brisbane has 77,000 patient visits annually receiving radiation treatment. The hospital will use money from Dry July to install 2 data projectors in each of their 9 radiation treatment rooms to easy patient anxiety and provide a more comfortable experience.
In addition, the hospital is using funds to purchase a further six scenic cubical curtains to be installed in cancer services wards for patient therapy and comfort, and a stainless steel water cooler for patients to access while waiting in cancer services for appointments.
A transport to treatment service is now available to guests staying at Inala House in Tamworth, and will also soon begin transporting patients who live within a 100km radius of North West Cancer Centre. The service is currently supported by 6 volunteers drivers and the vehicle (pictured below with the iconic Tamworth Golden Guitar) was purchased using funds from Dry July.
The first 2 clients (pictured here) for the new service were:
Sharon from Moree who stayed at Inala House for 6 weeks and was transported to and from treatment each day as well as to weekly shopping trips or any other necessary appointments while she stayed in Tamworth
Alan from Inverell who also stayed for about 5-6 weeks and was transported to and from treatment and to other necessary appointments or shopping
Townsville Cancer Centre has purchased new comfortable chairs for the sub-wait area outside the linac bunkers where patients wait before their treatment. Staff will now use this area for patient education during first visits.
The hospital will also be purchasing up to 4 reclining massage chairs to help ease discomfort to patients waiting for appointments with doctors or different services within the Cancer Centre, and personalised patient gowns in vibrant colours to enhance a supportive non threatening environment.
Staff at Westmead Hospital's Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre are the stars of two new videos designed to give newly diagnosed patients peace of mind. A film project With Knowledge Comes Power was recently unveiled in conjunction with health content specialists Tonic Health Media, and was funded by Dry July.
The films take viewers on a tour of the facility led by staff, who answer frequently asked questions by patients about to start chemotherapy and radiation therapy. "It was something all of us at the centre have been talking about doing for a long time," Cancer Centre Medical and Network Services Manager Jenny Butler said. "Patients often tell us ‘I don’t remember being told that’ and we believe that that is because they get so much information up front immediately after the diagnosis and often can’t take it all in. The video which they can access at home via our website or a CD allows them to digest the information in their own time, thus preparing them for the road ahead and hopefully allaying their fears of the unknown.”
Staff consulted patients on the script, including Henry Wegwitz. Henry wishes the video existed when he was diagnosed. "The first steps would have been easier knowing what was going to happen," he said. "The video prepares them for what's coming and what to expect," he said.
Tonic Health Media scripted and produced the videos.
The videos will soon be available online and included in information packs for new patients.
After renovations to the oncology day care unit and other areas at Illawarra Cancer Care Centre at Wollongong Hospital, new spaces felt a little too stark and clinical. Funds from Dry July have been used to install wall murals and sky ceilings in these areas to help brighten up the centre.
Christmas at The Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre
With funding raised by Dry July in 2015 and Christmas trees donated by David Jones, dedicated staff have dressed up the Cancer Centre and oncology ward at Westmead Hospital to make it that little bit more homely for patients and their families who have to be there for treatment at this time of year.
Refurbished Waiting Room at Calvary Mater Newcastle
“On behalf of staff, patients, their family and friends, I would like to thank Dry Julyers for their fundraising efforts on behalf of Calvary Mater Newcastle.
The Haematology Ward Waiting Room was fortunate to benefit from a makeover thanks to Dry Julyers generosity.
This area allows patients and their families and friends to have a haven away from the ward. The new couches and lounge chairs provide comfort for those who need to wait – whether that is for doctor reviews, investigation results, transport, outpatient bookings, etc.
The room also adds a bit of colour and comfort to our patient’s lives during their stay on the ward as commonly patients stay in our care for at least a month. The room presents the opportunity for a change of scenery and some home comforts.
It is so lovely to walk past the room and see patients and their carers having the opportunity to not only relax in a comfortable setting, but also have the chance to chat with other people going through similar circumstances.
We thank you all for your commitment and kindness to help make this makeover happen.”
- Olivia Edwards, Acting Nursing Unit Manager on Ward 5C/D (Haematology)
The Barwon Health Foundation Hospital Appeal #ProjectLove launched in February 2015. The overall project is estimated at $3 million and will see the Andrew Love Cancer Centre chemotherapy dayward redeveloped.
Dry July 2015 funds will be used to help fund patient comfort items and furnishings in the new dayward which will offer patients more privacy, comfort and space for their loved ones and visitors.
Digital Assistance for Patients at Townsville Hospital
At the Townsville Cancer Centre we feel extremely privileged to be a part of Dry July. With 2014 Campaign funds we installed 3 monitors throughout the Cancer Centre as an information hub for patients. The idea is to involve all disciplines within the Cancer Care team to provide information for the monitors.
Feedback from patients:
“It’s wonderful to get to know the staff with the profiles on the screen. We get introduced, but often forget the names.”
“Fantastic that we can view how the Linac works”
“Love the idea to have people’s pets on the screen and to read about their personalities”
The monitors had been useful to advertise occasions on the ‘cancer’ calendar. We’re also advertising accommodation options for patients while they undergo treatment. We have slides indicating that the monitors had been sponsored by Dry July.
The intention for the board is to reduce patients’ anxiety whilst waiting at the hospital.
2015 was Shoalhaven Cancer Care Centre’s first year as a Dry July beneficiary.
The centre plans to use funds raised to install digital sky ceilings in radiotherapy bunkers and other clinical areas throughout the cancer centre, to reduce the clinical feel within the treatment and consult areas, and also install free WiFi for patients.
Cancer Council Tasmania (CCT) is a state-wide service with centres located in Launceston, Hobart and Ulverstone. CCT’s mission is to reduce the impact and incidence of cancer in Tasmania through provision of high quality support services for people with cancer, their families and carers. CCT delivers a number of key services including, psycho-social support, complementary therapies, educational programs, educational resources, financial assistance and transport to treatment. Over 90% of CCT funding is by public donations.
Currently, CCT’s Hobart support area exists within a small area of it Collins Street premises. CCT intends to renovate this area using Dry July funds to provide spaces more amenable to private discussion and sessions. Purpose built disabled toilet facilities will be included in renovation plans as the current facilities are dated and inadequate for this purpose.
Seating patients more comfortably at St George and Sutherland Hospitals
This year St George and Sutherland Hospitals and Health Services are using Dry July money to make patients a little more comfortable by focusing on new chairs. All areas of the hospitals’ cancer treatment areas endure high traffic and chairs wear out quickly; however, without outside funding support, timely replacement wouldn't be possible.
Purchases will include:
High back chairs for inpatient areas of 4 North and 4 East
High back chairs for Gunyah ward
A specialised procedural chair
SGSHHS will also buy a portable ultrasound machine for the Haematology Oncology Day Centre, to assist clinical staff in guiding cannulations more accurately.
Cancer Council WA Lodges provide accommodation for country cancer patients when they come to Perth for treatment. Demand for this accommodation reaches near full occupancy throughout the calendar year. Unfortunately some cancer patients are turned away each year due to capacity restrictions and have to find alternate lodgings.
Cancer Council WA recently moved to new offices in Subiaco. Office space at both Crawfod and Milroy Lodges has become vacant, offering up an opportunity to convert this available space into much needed additional accommodation facilitates for cancer patients.
Funds from Dry July will go towards fitting out new rooms at the lodges, enabling more patients to utilise this service in the future.
Dry July is proud to continue funding Chris O’Brien Lifehouse complementary therapy program Arterie. Arterie supports the COB LIfehouse holistic approach to cancer patient care through an innovative participatory arts program. Arterie’s mission is to improve outcomes for patients, families, carers, staff and visitors by easing the side effects of cancer and its treatment (stress, pain, fatigue, isolation and depression) as well as providing a therapeutic distraction from treatment through art engagement and participation.
The program uses paints, paper and pencils alongside state-of-the-art surgical equipment and internationally-trained specialists to provide innovative patient support.
Arterie team members, otherwise known as “Arterists”, are formally-qualified artists, designers, architects and educators who deliver the multi-pronged programs in bright orange aprons to all stakeholders - patients, carers, family, volunteers and staff including clinical, admin and executive.
Chief clinical officer Michael Boyer said, “Having an art program is one more aspect of looking after the whole patient. There is more to good cancer care than performing the right operation or prescribing the best medicine. Arterie is something that really helps us look after our patients”.
Arterie Co Founder/Director Amanda Solomon said: “The art is a conduit for conversation and communication. Our aim is to normalise the Lifehouse experience and environment, to make it look and feel less clinical using art practice, art education and art installations. It’s about engaging and focusing on non-medical issues, and having some fun in an otherwise stressful situation.“
Arterie Co Founder/Director Deborah Burdett said: “We get patients and visitors chatting with each other. We see large, burly men, hunched over, intent on colouring in rainbow hues to a butterfly’s wings. Patients sit, stitch and chat with each other. The repetitive nature of some art and craft making activities can be a great stress reliever and people can relax and not think about their illness for once.”
Patient Belinda Ellis is a mother, a teacher and wife healing from stage three breast cancer. She said, “I think that being kept busy was paramount in my maintaining a positive outlook during my treatment. The Day Therapy waiting room can be a sombre place and having happy, orange people pushing these carts filled with art pack surprises made the waiting easier.
“It’s not just medical treatment of the body that makes us get better.”
Redesign and refurbishment of the SolarisCare South West Centre
Patients and families in the South West of WA utilise the SolarisCare South West centre in Bunbury as an area of respite where they can seek information, receive complementary therapies, be counselled or simply relax.
The SolarisCare Foundation plans on redeveloping and refreshing the centre and the surrounding gardens and grounds which are spread over 2000m2, utilising funds from Dry July and other supporters.
The project is creating additional multi-purpose areas to enhance the experience of patients and their carers and increase the capacity of the centre to deliver therapies and offer areas of quiet restfulness. The current reception area will be converted to house a dedicated library/resource area, along with several tub chairs and a coffee table to provide a pleasant and quiet reading nook. The coordinators office will be transformed into an additional therapy/counselling room. An outdoor reflection area will also be introduced.
