Churchill Fellowship for PCWA President

Congratulations to Palliative Care WA Board President Dr Elissa Campbell, who has recently been awarded a Churchill Fellowship.

A Consultant Geriatrician with Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Elissa will be exploring models of palliative care for people with dementia in clinical and research centres in New Zealand, USA, UK, Netherlands and Singapore.  Elissa hopes to gain knowledge of successful models of palliative care for people living with dementia in these countries, and how these may work within the Australian health, aged care and community sectors.

“Having trained as a Palliative Care Specialist, I am aware of the great benefits that palliative care can offer in terms of improved quality of life and planning for care as disease progresses” said Elissa.  “Unfortunately, palliative care is not available to many Western Australians with dementia, as the models of palliative care are not a good fit for the symptoms and disease trajectory experienced with dementia.”

Churchill Fellowships offer a remarkable opportunity to travel overseas to further investigate a topic of interest and expertise. Given the current travel restrictions, the Churchill Trust is providing an extended period of time to undertake projects. While she waits on the ability to travel, Elissa will be building relationships with the international sites via telecommunications and networking with other Churchill Fellows across Australia.

“I am very grateful to the WA Department of Health for sponsoring my Churchill Fellowship and recognising the importance of palliative care for people with dementia.”