Celebrating excellence in end-of-life care

WA Country Health Service had three winners take out their categories in the 2023 Palliative Care in WA Awards – Senior Pharmacist Penny Tuffin, the East Kimberley Palliative Care team and Fitzroy Crossing Hospital.

East Kimberley Palliative Care team – Outstanding Team Delivering Holistic Palliative Care Award

Our East Kimberley Palliative Care team provide holistic, end-of-life care that encompasses a patient’s physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs.

They ensure a patient’s family and carers are involved in every step of the process, committed to providing care that meets the needs of our community members – no matter where they are

Penny Tuffin – Outstanding Palliative Care Professional Award

Penny has been an active member of State planning committees for palliative care across WA, including the End of Life and Palliative Care Advisory Committee since 2012.

Advocating for the health and wellbeing of our Aboriginal communities, sharing her wealth of knowledge in palliative care with her colleagues in the Kimberley and Pilbara. 

Fitzroy Crossing Hospital – Outstanding Achievement in Palliative Care for Aboriginal Communities Award

Fitzroy Crossing Hospital understand palliative looks different for everyone, so they focus on providing culturally safe care that acknowledges our Aboriginal patients’ spiritual connections to country and community is important.

Working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service and paramedic services, the team at Fitzroy Crossing Hospital were able to transfer an intubated 44-year-old Bunuba man to Country when he requested his last moments be at home.

Acting Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery Yvonne Bagwell said the awards reflected the quality of palliative care provided to our communities.

“These awards are a testament to the compassionate, end-of-life care delivered by our palliative care teams,”