Flinders University Introduces New Palliative Care Scholarships
The Tasmanian Government is partnering with Flinders University to offer $540,000 in scholarships for staff to study a Certificate in palliative care or Specialist Certificate in palliative care.
Courses are aimed at enrolled nurses or nursing aides, registered nurses, Allied Health Professionals and Allied Health assistants, medical professionals, personal care assistants/support workers, volunteer ambulance personnel and paramedics.
Dr.Caroline Phelan, Course Coordinator Postgraduate Palliative Care Programs at Flinders University, says the Tasmanian graduates will be equipped with knowledge and skills to better understand and navigate the complexities that come with end-of-life health.
“As well as providing health staff with access to Flinders academics and researchers who are leaders in this field, they will gain important new qualifications and open up pathways to further study in end-of-life care which is an important and evolving field of healthcare,” Dr Phelan says.
“The palliative care courses have been developed by Flinders in partnership with industry and they include entry and higher levels of study in essential care and support which will be valuable for all professionals to equip themselves with. Flinders has designed a range of study options and we are very proud to be working with the Tasmanian Government on this significant initiative.”
Tasmanian Minister for Health, Guy Barnett, says the Government is committed to supporting and nurturing our healthcare workforce to upskill across all regions of our State.
“We are providing our health workforce with the training it needs to deliver palliative care to Tasmanians,” Minister Barnett said.
“These scholarships will also ensure greater distribution of palliative care capability across the State and the health system, particularly in rural and remote areas.”
The state government will provide full funding for both the Certificate in Palliative Care and Specialist Certificate in Palliative Care. Both courses are available online and will increase palliative care capacity and capability across the Tasmanian health workforce.
The 10-week Certificate in Palliative Care will provide an overview and introduction to best practice end-of-life care and is structured to meet the needs of those who may occasionally engage with people with palliative care needs.
The 13-week Specialist Certificate in Palliative Care provides an overview of best practice and the opportunity to develop knowledge of the palliative approach to care for those frequently engaging with palliative patients.
Minister Barnett says the Scholarships will ensure more Tasmanians can get the healthcare they need when and where they need it.
“Our Government is delivering on what matters for Tasmanians by investing in our health workforce and ensuring more Tasmanians can access the health care system they deserve,” Minister Barnett said.
Applications for Tasmanian Health Service are open until December 22.