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First nations
Palliative care and end of life
Rural care
Grant Funding Round 5
POSTED 23 Oct 2023

Kutjukata ngurra nyaku ntjakula – ‘One last look’

Lead Partner
Supporting Partners
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Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation - Purple House in partnership with the NT Health Department Territory Palliative Care, and the Australian National University has been awarded an ARIIA grant for their project ‘Kutjukata ngurra nyaku ntjakula – ‘One last look’.

Purple House, in partnership with the NT Health Department and the Australian National University (ANU), proposes a pilot program to provide community-based palliative care for Indigenous patients with end-stage renal disease. The program aims to reduce hospital pressures and improve care quality by allowing patients the option to return home to their remote community, either temporarily or until they pass away. A fitted-out ex-ambulance or a Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) airplane flight through the Medical Retrieval and Consultation Centre (MRaCC) will transport patients, while support staff and equipment travel in a 4WD and trailer. Incorporating remote aged-care and primary healthcare facilities and involving the community could facilitate improved access to palliative care and a dignified and peaceful end-of-life experience for patients and families.

Background and Aims

  • Purple House proposes to provide community-based palliative care for Indigenous patients with end-stage renal disease. The program aims to support patients who wish to return home to their remote community towards the end of their lives.
  • Service delivery is designed to provide clinically and culturally safe, comfortable transport for patients between town and remote communities.

What we did

  • Procurement of a Hiace 4WD bus, fitted with a Stryker PowerPRO XT stretcher
  • Evaluated past trips as pilots for the Last Look project, informing future equipment needs to enable better communication and support
  • Conducted education sessions and workshops to introduce Purple House staff to the palliative care space
  • Supported six Purple House staff to attend PEPA placements in the Palliative Care Facility at Alice Springs Hospital, with the plan to support more in the future
  • Strengthened existing partnerships with selected Indigenous communities and our partner organisations, particularly with Territory Palliative care

Outcomes

  • Increased service delivery of community-based palliative care, with a focus on the empowerment of Indigenous renal patients by addressing their social and cultural needs
  • Enhanced workforce capability and training, enabling staff to provide culturally appropriate palliative care
  • Increase the efficiency of care delivery through the procurement of fit-for-purpose equipment, and developing resources to enable planning of trips in a timely manner

Impact on aged care and workforce

This project is expanding the scope and capabilities of our aged care workforce. Staff are being upskilled in the delivery of palliative care to our patients in remote communities. Building on the strong relationships Purple House staff already have with patients, this project will equip staff with the knowledge and skills to care for those coming to the end of their lives, while supporting their agency and connection to country and family.

Resources developed

  • The Purple House Language Group created an education video. Made up of patients and Directors, the Language Group workshops an idea or topic, learns about it, and then creates a story in their first language to help explain it to others. With a big focus on process, the result is always inherently culturally safe and communicated in a way which makes sense to people from their world view.
  • This ‘Last look’ video includes a song written and performed by the participants and an ‘in memorium’ for four directors/language group participants who have passed away. View the video here.

Next steps

  • Now that research and consultation has been undertaken, we will progress procurement of additional equipment
  • Collaborate with Papunya Tula Artists to wrap the Last Look Bus with an artwork depicting a strong connection to Country
  • Development of policies and procedures
  • Development of a support structure to promote wellbeing amongst staff working in such as vulnerable space -. as part of our duty of care and to maintain the sustainability of the project
  • Recruit staff to fill planned positions
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The ‘Last look’ video

This ‘Last look’ video includes a song written and performed by the participants and an ‘in memorium’ for four directors/language group participants who have passed.

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