QUEENSLAND HEALTH INVESTS IN ENHANCING EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR SUNSHINE COAST PALLIATIVE CARE WORKFORCE

• A new Queensland Health palliative care post graduate study scheme will see more than $350,000 allocated to 57 health workers from across the state.
• Health workers will benefit from additional study ranging from short courses to Masters in Palliative Care.
• The scheme forms part of the Palliative Care Workforce Capability Uplift program.

More than $350,000 will go towards upskilling 57 health workers across the state in palliative care thanks to a new education training program.

The Post Graduate Study Scheme will assist health workers in 2024 from across metro, regional, rural, and remote communities, with five taking part from the Sunshine Coast region.

Queensland Health’s allied health, nursing and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health workers will benefit from the new post-graduate program that will enhance education and training opportunities in palliative care.

Employees will be able to undertake additional study ranging from short courses to Masters in Palliative Care which will boost the skills needed in palliative care services across the state.

The Scheme is one of six initiatives forming part of the Palliative Care Workforce Capability Uplift program which will see $1.33 million funded in the 2023-2024 financial year and another $1.32 million in 2024-2025.

A recurring budget of $1.035 million will support ongoing palliative care workforce capability uplift activities beyond 2024-2025.

The program will be delivered as part of a range of Queensland Health strategic sector reforms for palliative care, including the Palliative and End-of-Life Care Strategy.

Key initiatives within the program are aligned with the Queensland Health Specialist Palliative Care Workforce Plan.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Service Shannon Fentiman:
“We want to support our Sunshine Coast health workers to pursue a successful and fulfilling career in palliative care.

“Palliative care ensures Queenslanders can live their life as comfortably as possible – providing specialist care for people with life-limiting illnesses and their families.

“Queensland Health’s significant investment in boosting training opportunities for health workers will go a long way to increasing frontline services and ensuring skilled and multidisciplinary care is accessible to people, their families and carers.

“Our focus on upskilling our frontline staff will continue to benefit Queensland communities now and into the future.”

“The Miles Government remains committed to delivering palliative care in the Sunshine Coast region, supporting people’s preferences to receive care closer to, or in, their home.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt:
“I’m so excited that five of our wonderful health care workers are choosing to gain valuable skills that will benefits many members of our community here on the Sunshine Coast.

“Our health workers do an incredible job caring for our communities and deserve opportunities to learn new skills and enhance their careers.

“I’m proud to be of a government that is committed to ensuring we have the skilled health workforce needed for the continued delivery of the Sunshine Coast’s world-class healthcare.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Nicklin Robert Skelton:
“Our government is passionate about ensuring Queenslanders have opportunities, and that’s exactly what this training program is giving.

“I want to thank those workers who’ve put up their hand to upskill in this incredibly important specialty.

“There dedication and compassion towards caring for Queenslanders, especially in their final moments, is inspiring and I wish them all the best.”