Central Region Palliative Care Network (CRPCN)

The NZ Palliative Care Strategy (2001) and Cancer Control Action Plan 2005-2010 identifies local and regional palliative care networks as a way to improve communication, integration and coordination of palliative care services.

The Central Region Palliative Care Network has been functioning across the region since 2006. The current group comprises of clinicians and managers of both Hospice and Hospital-based specialist palliative care services across the region. The group meets three - four times per year to share information and collaborate on the planning and development of palliative care services in the region. CCN provides secretariat support to this group.

Palliative Care in Primary Care Educational Forum - 13th July 2011

The CRPCN together with CCN facilitated a regional forum on Wednesday 13th July in Palmerston North.  The topic for the educational forum was "Palliative Care in Primary Care".  For the first time this forum was videoed for attendees to view, as well as those who were unable to participate.  Below are the links to the powerpoint presentations by each presenter, as well as a link to the video.  Because this is a new concept for the Central Cancer Network we would appreciate your feedback on the value of recording such sessions in the future.  You can comment directly on the video "you tube" link.  Click here to go to the video presentations.

  1. Gold Standards Framework - Professor Keri Thomas, University of Birmingham
  2. Gold Standards Framework - NZ Experience  - Dr Simon Allan, Arohanui Hospice
  3. Role Delineation in Palliative Care - Brenda Hall, Ministry of Health
  4. Advanced Care Planning, UK and NZ Experience - Dr Kay Devries, Victoria University, Wellington
  5. Palliative Care Council Needs Assessment  - Wayne Naylor, Cancer Control NZ, and Bob Fox, Consumer representative

Terms of Reference

Meetings dates for 2012

  • Wednesday 28th March 2012
  • Additional dates to be advised

Recent Minutes

16th November 2011

13th April 2011

Membership

Open to all stakeholders in the CCN region who have an interest in palliative care.

Activity Specific to Palliative Care

The gap analysis of Specialist Palliative care in New Zealand is now available on-line.  Please click on the link below.

Gap Analysis Of Specialist Palliative Care in New Zealand: providing a national overview of hospice and hospital-based services

Palliative Care Projects and Resources

New Zealand Liverpool Care for the Dying Office

The National LCP Office NZ was established in November 2008 to coordinate the sustainable implementation of the LCP in NZ. The National LCP Office NZ is funded by the Ministry of Health and works in collaboration with the LCP Central Team and Marie Curie Palliative Care Institute Liverpool (MCPCIL) in the United Kingdom (UK).

The following link will take you directly to the NZ LCP website.

The regional palliative care projects that are related to the New Zealand Specialist Palliative Care Service Specifications (draft) include:

Not for Resuscitation Guidelines for Hospices

The purpose of this project was to develop consistent ‘Not for Resuscitation’ Guidelines for hospices across the CCN region.

While some hospices had resuscitation policies these were not consistent regionally. The Palliative Care Network has identified the need for a consistent approach and worked with CCN to facilitate this project.

Regional Palliative Care Medical Specialist Project

In February 2008, the Ministry of Health released new draft Specialist Palliative Care Service Specifications (the National Specifications) signalling the need for changes in the way palliative care services are configured and delivered. The National Specifications will be finalised over the next 2-3 years.

Central Cancer Network (CCN) worked with stakeholders to develop a regional palliative care medical specialist model to support the development of a regionally appointed and deployed workforce. The model was endorsed by the Central Regional Palliative Care Network and the DHBs’ General Managers of Planning and Funding.

Associated Guidelines

  • Regional Palliative Care Medical Specialist Model
  • Not for Resuscitation Guidelines for Hospices
  • Last updated 5th January 2012