APCC Assoc of Palliative Care Centres

World Hospice Palliative Care Day (WHPCD), on 12 October, is an annual event dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of hospice and palliative care.

The day also aims to promote support for patients and their families, advocate for better access to palliative care services, and to celebrate the contributions of healthcare professionals in this field.

Visit our website to learn more about our WHPCD approach: https://apcc.org.za/world-hospice-palliative-care-day-2024/

Today is International Day for Older Persons, a meaningful date in the world of palliative care.

While often associated with the elderly, palliative care is essential for all, ensuring comfort and dignity.

As we count down to World Hospice Palliative Care Day on 12 October, we’re highlighting a key contributor to high-quality care: hospice thrift shops. These stores directly support vital palliative care services.

Visit our website for more information. https://apcc.org.za/

‘Bereavement & Support course’
Struggling with offering support in difficult times?
Commencement dates for the next online course: 08 October - 10 December 2024. The Face-To-Face course runs for a week but can be completed one day per week (for six weeks). The E-Learning course is approximately 2 hours per week over 12 weeks.
Face-to-face courses take place according to demand (when there is a minimum of 15 people signed up in specific regions), with a maximum number of 25 participants per training session.
The course is suitable for all professionals, qualified counsellors or experienced lay counsellors in work settings where bereavement support is required or would be potentially required across South African communities.
SACSSP – 31 CPD points for both face-to-face and e-learning. For more information, please visit https://apcc.org.za/bereavement-and-support-course

‘Bereavement Support course’
Commencement dates for the next online course: 08 October - 10 December 2024.
The Face-To-Face Course runs for a week but can be completed one day per week (for six weeks). The E-Learning Course is approximately 2 hours per week over 12 weeks.
Face-to-face courses take place according to demand (when there is a minimum of 15 people signed up in specific regions), with a maximum number of 25 participants per training session.
The course is suitable for all professionals, qualified counsellors or experienced lay counsellors in work settings where bereavement support is required or would be potentially required across South African communities.
SACSSP – 31 CPD points for both face-to-face and e-learning.
For more information, please visit https://apcc.org.za/bereavement-and-support-course

Today is Heritage Day, a time for us to reflect on and celebrate the cultural heritage of our country. It's a day to honour the rich diversity of our beautiful rainbow nation and embrace our unique 'South Africa-ness'.

On this 'World Alzheimer's Day', we are committed to raising awareness about the struggles of individuals living with Alzheimer's, a progressive disease impacting memory and mental functions.
To get the details for members in your area to enquire about assistance with Alzheimer's disease, please visit: https://apcc.org.za/find-a-palliative-care-centre/

World Patient Safety Day is an opportunity to raise public awareness and foster collaboration between patients, health workers, policymakers and healthcare leaders to improve patient safety.
The theme for this year is "Get it right, make it safe!".
The APCC and its member organisations, along with The Council for Health Services Accreditation of Southern Africa (COHSASA), are currently finalising the 5th Edition of the Standards for Palliative Healthcare.
These are the only accredited Standards for the sector and are also the standards against which members are accredited with their APCC Star Levels.
These Standards ensure the quality of palliative healthcare delivery via the members, with a focus on both patient and staff safety.

We recently launched the Thrift Shop Collective on our website that highlights member shops across the country. Today, we are featuring the Camdeboo Hospice Shoppe in Graaff-Reinet.
Jumble Sales are held every Friday from 9 am to 11 am at 18 Church Square, Graaff-Reinet. They offer good quality clothing, shoes, household items, and bric-a-brac at very low prices.
Camdeboo Hospice, a non-profit organisation, began in 1998 and provides a holistic at-home palliative care service to patients and families living with life-threatening illnesses in Graaff-Reinet.
For more information, please visit: https://apcc.org.za/the-thrift-shop-collective/camdeboo-hospice/camdeboo-hospice-shoppe/

Early bird registration for the Palliative Care Conference 2025 is OPEN. Please click on the link for all details and to register.
🗓 Dates: 18 - 21 June 2025
📍 Venue: Southern Sun Elangeni, Durban
https://pcconference.co.za/registration-form/

Registration – Palliative Care Early Bird registration closes on 14 April 2025 after which normal conference rates will apply. Fees quoted on the ticket price will be exclusive of VAT, which will be added at checkout.

‘Introduction to Palliative Care for Professionals’
Commencement dates for the next online course: 16 September - 20 November 2024. With an initial orientation, followed by 10 weekly sessions (face-to-face and online), this course is relevant for medical officers, registered professional nurses, social workers and allied healthcare workers. Please note - The dates are dependent on confirming 10 or more registered participants. Organisations with 10+ attendees may apply for a potential discount.
For more information, please visit: https://apcc.org.za/introduction-to-palliative-care-for-professionals/

Martelise Meaker Children’s In-Patient Unit opens its doors Johannesburg South, Alberton – Martelise Meaker Children’s In-Patient Unit, a newly established in- patient unit, opened in Alberton on 26 July this year.

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month is observed annually in September to encourage women to undergo screenings that can prevent cervical cancer. Early detection is crucial, as it can lead to the diagnosis of cervical cancer at an earlier stage than would otherwise be possible.
HPV is the virus that causes cervical cancer, which is the second most prevalent cancer among women, after breast cancer. The HPV vaccine is an important investment in the future health of South African women. 'Cervical Cancer Awareness' Month emphasises the critical significance of regular medical check-ups and screenings.
For more info and services available for screening via CANSA, visit: https://cansa.org.za/womens-health/

‘Psychosocial Palliative Care’
Commencement dates for the next online course: 10 September - 19 November 2024.
Face-to-face courses take place according to demand (when there is a minimum of 15 people signed up in specific regions), with a maximum number of 25 participants per training session.
Aimed at psychosocial professionals including social workers, psychologists and spiritual care practitioners, this course was developed to equip learners with appropriate skills, knowledge and attitude for incorporating psychosocial palliative care practices and principles. SACSSP – 18 CPD points for both face-to-face and e-learning.
For more information, please visit https://apcc.org.za/psychosocial-palliative-care-course

Psychosocial Palliative Care Course - The Association of Palliative Care Centres Psychosocial Palliative Care CoursePsychosocial Palliative Care CourseFormat: Face-to-face and onlineDuration: The face-to-face course runs for a week, but can be completed a day a week (for 8 weeks). The e-learning course is approximately 2 hours a week over 11 weeks.Accreditation Body: SACSSP: App...

‘Psychosocial Palliative Care’
Commencement dates for the next online course: 10 September - 19 November 2024.
Face-to-face courses take place according to demand (when there is a minimum of 15 people signed up in specific regions), with a maximum number of 25 participants per training session.
Aimed at psychosocial professionals including social workers, psychologists and spiritual care practitioners, this course was developed to equip learners with appropriate skills, knowledge and attitude for incorporating psychosocial palliative care practices and principles. SACSSP – 18 CPD points for both face-to-face and e-learning.
For more information, please visit https://apcc.org.za/psychosocial-palliative-care-course

Bone Marrow Stem Cell Donation and Leukaemia Awareness Month runs from August 15th to October 15th. The goal is to raise awareness and encourage people to become donors. Leukaemia is a type of cancer that affects blood cell production.
The South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) started in Cape Town in 1991 with one mission: to save lives. As an approved member of the World Marrow Donor Association, the SABMR is dedicated to helping patients find their match.
You could be a match for a patient waiting for their miracle donor right now.
For more information, go to https://sabmr.co.za/
YOU COULD BE SOMEONE’S TOMORROW!

We have recently launched the Thrift Shop Collective, a website dedicated to showcasing member shops across the country. Today, we are featuring the Chatsworth Hospice Shoppe.
The Shoppe stocks good quality clothing, shoes, homeware, jewellery, furniture, and more. What makes this Shoppe unique is the fresh produce they sell (dhania, green banana & other veggies), grown in their very own garden, as well as snacks and savouries.
Established in 1991, Chatsworth Regional Hospice Association aims to provide free palliative care to cancer patients. The proceeds from the Shoppe's sales go towards the care and upkeep of the Hospice.
For more information, please visit: https://apcc.org.za/the-thrift-shop-collective/chatsworth-hospice/chatsworth-hospice-shoppe/

With kind permission from 702, the interview with Dr Ewa Skowronska, CEO of the APCC, is available to listen to here. It is a discussion around palliative care - what it is, what services are provided, and more.
https://apcc.org.za/hpca-newsroom/radio-702-speaks-to-ewa-skowronska-about-palliative-care/
#702

Radio 702 speaks to Ewa Skowronska about palliative care - The Association of Palliative Care Centres This is an in-depth discussion about palliative care – what it is, how it works, what palliative care teams do, and more. With kind permission from Radio 702, the interview clip is here:

‘Introduction to Palliative Care for Professionals’
Commencement dates for the next online course: 19 August - 23 October 2024. With an initial orientation, followed by 10 weekly sessions (face-to-face and online), this course is relevant for medical officers, registered professional nurses, social workers and allied healthcare workers.
Please note - The dates are dependent on confirming 10 or more registered participants. Organisations with 10+ attendees may apply for a potential discount.
For more information, please visit: https://apcc.org.za/introduction-to-palliative-care-for-professionals/

‘Bereavement & Support course’
Commencement dates for the next online course: 13 August - 22 October 2024. The Face-To-Face Course runs for a week but can be completed one day per week (for six weeks). The E-Learning Course is approximately 2 hours per week over 12 weeks.
Face-to-face courses take place according to demand (when there is a minimum of 15 people signed up in specific regions), with a maximum number of 25 participants per training session.
The course is suitable for all professionals, qualified counsellors or experienced lay counsellors in work settings where bereavement support is required or would be potentially required across South African communities.
SACSSP – 31 CPD points for both face-to-face and e-learning.
For more information, please visit https://apcc.org.za/bereavement-and-support-course

Lambano Sanctuary Children’s Medical Step-Down Facility/Hospice is looking for a Registered Nurse/Shift Leader with Paediatric experience to join our unit and be part of an incredible holistic team who are passionate about children’s health and well-being.
See below and go to https://apcc.org.za/current-vacancies for a full list of criteria.

Congratulations to Stepping Stone Hospice on the opening of the Martilese Meaker Children's In-Patient unit. What a great achievement.