New patient wellbeing programs launched alongside Patient Parliament
Yesterday Peter Mac launched three new programs designed to improve our patients’ wellbeing and experience, and welcomed patients and carers to share their thoughts at our annual Patient Parliament.
The in-person Patient and Carer Support Service, Cancer School, and the pilot of a new Peer Navigation service were launched. All three were co-designed with Peter Mac patients, who were involved at every step of development.
The launch event was a celebratory coming together of patients, carers, family members and Peter Mac staff. Guest speakers included Deputy Federal Minister for Health The Honourable Ged Kearney MP, consumer advocate Tiel Lillehagen, and Peter Mac Chief Executive Professor Jason Payne.
The on-site Patient and Carer Support Service provides in-person advice about support and services both at Peter Mac and externally. In the first month of operation 391 people were assisted with wayfinding, cancer resources, and even simple social conversations. The team also supported 124 people to sign up to Health Hub and so they can be more involved in their care. Feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive.
Cancer School is a set of unique online learning modules featuring real patients and Peter Mac experts. Designed to allow people to move at their own pace and easily locate information relevant to them, it seeks to demystify diagnosis and treatment for people who are newly diagnosed with cancer.
Additionally, a collaborative Peer Navigation Service designed with consumers and Northern Health was launched. It will commence with a pilot of across four cancer types, matching specially-trained peer mentors with patients to help guide and support their cancer experience.
Following the launch, more than 50 patients gathered for Peter Mac’s annual Patient Parliament. Supported by the Patient Experience and Wellbeing team, attendees were encouraged to share their experiences at Peter Mac.
The structured discussions were designed to highlight the priorities and needs of patients and their carers, and gather feedback on how things can be improved.
The data collected will be analysed and shared across the organisation to inform upcoming work, including the new adult cancer services plan for Peter Mac, the Royal Melbourne Hospital and Royal Women’s Hospitals.
In his welcome Chief Executive Professor Jason Payne assured participants, “We are very grateful for your feedback."
“We are always looking for better ways of doing things, and we know that we can learn the most from the people who actually experience our work.”