Terry Nash’s Post

I spoke with Jill AM MAICD, AM MAICD, from The Australian Financial Review about our death-denying culture and its impact on people, families, health and aged care systems. Put simply, today's systems aren’t serving us well enough. Australia’s public health systems are in crisis. Hospitals nationwide are overwhelmed, dealing with bed blocks, elective surgery delays, ED overcrowding, and ambulance ramping. A new evidence-based review from The Violet Initiative uncovered some startling truths: ✴ At least a quarter of all hospital beds are occupied by patients in their last year of life, predominantly elderly individuals. ✴ Elderly, frail people in the last stage of life often face a distressing cycle of hospitalisation following acute health deterioration. ✴ Nearly one-third of emergency calls involve patients nearing the end of life, most of whom are over 75. ✴ Typically, people are transported by ambulance from home or from residential aged care to the emergency department, admitted to the hospital, and often end up in intensive care on life support. ✴ Ironically, many of these older adults do not wish to be hospitalised and prefer not to die in a hospital setting. ✴ Research shows that dying patients often receive high-intensity care without clear benefits, frequently at odds with their known preferences. This issue affects everyone. I'm calling on federal and state governments to help all Australians talk about and plan for the last stage of life so more people can have the dignified and compassionate experience they want and deserve. Let's make the #laststageoflife the best it can be for everyone involved. Please share this message and don't hesitate to contact me if you'd like to help. Violet's CEO, Melissa Reader, will discuss this on 2GB later this afternoon. Tune in. Link to the article is in the comments. #healthcare #agedcare #compassion #support

Today is a good Monday. We have 18 open spots out of 24 for patients to be seen today. As we continue to improve I wanted to share our latest progress here as we work to improve how we provide primary care to our patients. For those of you who have been following along our team has made a significant and concerted effort to improve our access and the experience of care for our patients. We currently serve over 2000 patients and families in our practice and over the last 6 week cycle we have made a concerted effort to make our office more easy to access, a calmer workplace for our employees and a place where we effectively team together. What did we do? - install a doorbell for patient check ins to limit interruptions for our secretary - work as a team to triage all patient concerns rather than delegate this to a single team member - emphasize that prebooked appointments are for care that can only be received in person (well baby visits, chronic disease, antenatal visits) - work to optimize all visits before they are seen in clinic: this means lab work or imaging done before we see patients in some cases to ensure we can optimize our time in person - instill the principle of acknowledging receipt of requests vs feeling pressure to complete them the moment they are received - emphasizing to our team that their time and health is critical to our success and that being calm is more important than having an inbox at zero. - we have opened nearly every day to be fully accessible by online booking and patients are able to book as it works for them. Do I anticipate some hiccups into the future - it's likely. Are we now in a better mental space to work through them and develop solutions to problems - absolutely. #primarycare #calmcare #slowproductivity OntarioMD Ontario Health | Santé Ontario Catherine Faulds Kimberly Moran Middlesex London Ontario Health Team A shout out to some of the leaders who have helped me see the way through this too: Jason Fried David Heinemeier Hansson Cal Newport

Wise words from Kate Carnell, Chair of The Violet Initiative. Today’s systems simply aren’t serving us well enough. It is time to explore new models that relieve system pressures while improving care, support and outcomes for people and their families. Links in the comments below. #agedcare #healthcare #innovation #compassion #healthcarepolicy

It is sad and disheartening for a nation like ours that so many individuals are denied the dignity of dying in the place and environment they choose. Today, Dr Ranjana Srivastava OAM's Guardian article paints a painful and poignant picture of the current system's failure. Without changing the way we care for our dying, individuals and their carers are unlikely to routinely experience a safe and high-quality death. To do this, we must think beyond palliative care as the whole solution. While palliative care is crucial, end-of-life care goes beyond medicine, encompassing wishes, social needs, and relationships. The Violet Initiative recently released a research report that goes to the heart of this issue. Imogen Mitchell, Exec Director, Research & Academic Partnerships, Canberra Health Services, ICU Specialist, Canberra Hospital wrote in her foreword: "Changing the current dogma is going to be hard. It requires the community, primary care, acute care hospitals, aged care facilities, non-government organisations, academic partners, and state and federal policymakers to be engaged in a meaningful dialogue to realise safe and high-quality dying. It also requires novel approaches to care for the dying and their caregivers, given the stalemate of change over the last 20 years around dying" Compassion, choice, and control are vital during the last stage of life. A system-wide approach (healthcare, social services, communities) is needed to prioritise compassion, choice, and support for the dying. I am passionate about addressing these needs to ensure people have the experience they want and deserve. I’m excited about the potential of new technologies to introduce novel, personalised and empathetic solutions to address this at scale. It is time to assess the human and economic costs of this life stage and explore new models that relieve system pressures while improving care, support, and outcomes for people and their families. The links to Ranjana's article and Violet's research report are in the comments below. #Dyingwell #healthcare #agedcare #compassion #innovation

Dr. Abhishek Shukla recently encountered an elderly patient who suffered from dehydration and heat stroke, a common yet serious issue during extreme weather conditions. This incident underscores the vulnerability of seniors to heat-related illnesses and the critical importance of timely medical intervention. Communication challenges, such as hearing loss, often complicate interactions with elderly patients. Dr. Abhishek emphasizes that patience is crucial in these situations. Taking the time to speak clearly, listen attentively, and ensure the patient comprehends the information can significantly improve the quality of care and the patient’s comfort. Beyond medical treatment, Dr. Abhishek advocates for a compassionate approach. Providing emotional support and understanding helps alleviate the stress and confusion that often accompany serious health issues in the elderly. By fostering a caring and patient-centered environment, healthcare providers can greatly enhance the well-being and recovery of their senior patients. #ElderlyCare #HeatStrokePrevention #HydrationMatters #SeniorHealth #PatientCommunication #CompassionateCare #HearingLossAwareness #HealthcareWithHeart #ElderlySupport #PatienceInCare

THESE ARE MY OWN OPINIONS AND NOT THOSE OF MY EMPLOYER. This will not only break the NHS it will break social care. 24 hr access isn’t a. Right and shouldn’t be in my opinion. There should be access based on need and then access based on want, we have multiple generations not getting the care they need but also many getting care they want because they know how to access the systems . That’s wrong. In addition disease burden is rising due to increased populations, more chronic disease due to poor lifestyle (marketing and ultra processed foods being pushed by companies) and generally an inability to maybe self manage as we used to. When are governments going to have an honest conversation about costs and what is able to be done in the package currently? Most European countries either have higher tax or co-payment systems. We cannot shy away from these choices if we want to avoid the American model of big insurance, big pharmaceutical companies and absolute crappy healthcare for most.

As leaders in emergency medical services, we play a pivotal role in ensuring the well-being of our aging population. The CMS Age-Friendly Hospital Measure is a critical initiative designed to enhance the quality of care for older adults. This measure focuses on the "4Ms" framework: What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility. By integrating these principles into our practices, we can significantly improve patient outcomes and satisfaction. Why is this important? 1. Patient-Centered Care: Understanding and prioritizing what matters most to our older patients ensures that their care aligns with their personal goals and preferences. 2. Safe Medication Practices: Reducing polypharmacy and ensuring appropriate medication use minimizes adverse drug events. 3. Cognitive Health: Addressing mentation helps in identifying and managing conditions like delirium, dementia, and depression. 4. Mobility: Promoting safe mobility reduces the risk of falls and enhances overall physical health. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) has been a strong advocate for this measure, providing valuable resources and guidance to healthcare providers. By adopting the CMS Age-Friendly Hospital Measure, we can lead the way in delivering compassionate, high-quality care to our aging population. Let's commit to making our healthcare system more age-friendly. #AgeFriendlyCare #EMSLeaders #HealthcareImprovement #IHI #PatientCenteredCare

The Care Partners of our nation are unsung heroes, sacrificing their time, health, and financial stability to ensure that their loved ones can live with dignity and receive the best possible care. However, this sacrifice comes with a heavy price. Care Partner Syndrome (CPS) is an all-too-common reality, characterized by overwhelming physical exhaustion, emotional depletion, and financial strain. These caregivers often face relentless pressure, balancing the intense demands of dialysis care with their own lives. The toll this takes is severe; it manifests not only in their deteriorating physical health but also in psychological distress that can lead to anxiety, depression, and, tragically, sometimes to the point of them needing medical care themselves. The relentless nature of dialysis care means that Care Partners are always "on call," with little to no respite. The cumulative effect of this unrelenting pressure is a profound burnout that can leave even the most resilient individuals feeling hopeless and isolated. Listen to a 30 minute audio with wife and myself discussing at a very high level the Care Partner 'Syndrome' (CPS). CPS, while created in my mind, is meant to convey that when Care Partners are overburdened and unsupported, the quality of care they can provide diminishes. This often results in more frequent complications for the patient, which in turn leads to a higher reliance on emergency medical services and in-patient care—both of which are significantly more expensive than preventive home-based care. The failure to support Care Partners adequately thus creates a vicious cycle of escalating healthcare costs, with Medicare and Medicaid bearing the brunt of these unnecessary expenses. By addressing Care Partner Syndrome head-on through "Marie's Bill," we have the opportunity to break this cycle, ensuring that patients receive consistent, high-quality care at home, thereby reducing the overall strain on our healthcare system. ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/eiQFFGcX #CarePartners #KidneyFailure #DialysisLife #KidneyDiseaseAwareness #ESRDSupport #ChronicKidneyDisease #DialysisWarriors #KidneyHealth #RenalCare #SupportForCaregivers

Understanding the Value of Home Health Care: A Path to Health and Independence Home health care plays a vital role in promoting well-being and helping individuals maintain their independence. Here are a few key benefits: 1️⃣ Personalized Care: Services are tailored to meet the unique medical and personal needs of each client, ensuring quality care in familiar surroundings. 2️⃣ Improved Recovery at Home: Studies show that patients often recover faster with fewer complications when cared for at home compared to hospital stays. 3️⃣ Cost-Effective Solution: Home care is typically more affordable than long-term hospital or nursing home stays, reducing the financial burden on families. 4️⃣ Support for Chronic Conditions: Skilled care providers help manage chronic illnesses (like diabetes or heart disease), preventing hospital readmissions. 5️⃣ Family Involvement: Care teams work closely with family members, offering education, training, and emotional support. At Empower Home Health Solutions, we believe in delivering compassionate care to enhance our clients’ quality of life. Whether it’s skilled nursing, physical therapy, or personal care, we are here to support health, dignity, and independence. 💬 What aspect of home health care do you think is most important? Share your thoughts in the comments! #HomeHealthCare #PersonalizedCare #HealthcareAtHome #PatientCare #Empowerment #WellBeing

Watch the latest The Chronic Collaboration update on Carla's ongoing NHS hospital nightmare via the X link below. In NHS collaborative groups we are repeatedly told 'we are tackling health inequalities'. We would argue that #pwME do not receive adequate/appropriate 'care' and as such there is no equity in care. What is NHS England doing to ensure people with severe M.E are not terrified of needing hospital admission as they face significant deterioration/death as a direct result? 6+ weeks ago, Carla was admitted for a short stay for help with a gastric issue/feeding tube. Will you issue a public statement Amanda Pritchard? (Tagged on X) The M.E community need reassurances that you are actively working to improve NHS 'care' for all levels of M.E severity. Re. Carla's 'care' from West Middlesex Hospital- do they not know that M.E was designated a neurological disease in 1969? They are very clearly unwilling to adhere to the 2021 NICE M.E guideline AND will not listen to non-NHS M.E specialists. This situation is very disturbing and concerning for those living with M.E and their loved ones. Video- https://lnkd.in/e3JGksYt cc Sharon Court #NHS #Health #Medical #England