Mrs Loretta Williams1, Professor Rochelle Wynne1,2
1Western Health, St Albans, Australia, 2Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
Biography:
Loretta Williams is a palliative care Nurse Practitioner Candidate with more than 20 years’ experience supporting patients, families and clinicians across Western Health in Melbourne. She has recently completed her Master of Nurse Practitioner and is developing an endorsed Nurse Practitioner role. Loretta works within the Palliative Care Consultancy Team, providing expert symptom management and end-of-life care advice across multiple hospital sites. She is the lead for the PEACE (Providing Effective Approaches to Care at End-of-life) Champions Program, a quality-improvement and education initiative that empowers ward-based nurses to deliver high-quality, compassionate end-of-life care.
Abstract:
Background:
End-of-life (EOLC) is a core component of nursing across all clinical settings, yet many nurses working in wards outside palliative care report low confidence and knowledge in delivering high-quality EOLC. In response to this gap, the PEACE (Providing Effective Approaches to Care at End-of-life) Champions Program was developed at Western Health. This program is a sustainable, nurse-led education model, training ward-based “champions” to improve EOLC knowledge, confidence and practice across acute and subacute wards.
Aim:
To improve ward-based nurses’ confidence and capability in providing EOLC through a structured education and champion support model.
Method:
A mixed-methods evaluation was embedded into the program. Forty ward-based nurses volunteered to be recruited to the PEACE Champions Program across four hospital sites. Participants attended an eight-hour study day consisting of three rotating workshops: (1) Communication skills (2) symptom management, and (3) interactive practical hands-on skills training. Pre- and post-study day surveys were distributed via REDCap, capturing demographic data, self-rated confidence, and knowledge using Likert scales and open-ended feedback. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse changes.
Results:
Thirty-nine participants competed both pre- and post-surveys. Confidence in delivering EOLC increased significantly across all domains, with the strongest gains seen in communication, managing dying symptoms and practical skills such as setting up syringe drivers. Qualitative responses highlighted increased empowerment and intent to share knowledge with colleagues. Champions are now supported via quarterly education, coaching tools, a resource hub on WeLearn and mentorship with palliative care advance practice nurses.
Conclusion:
The PEACE Champions Program is an effective and scalable model that enhances EOLC capability among nurses. By embedding the program into Western Health’s education systems, it supports best care delivery for dying patients regardless of location. The model is now a part of a succession plan to ensure expansion of the program and long-term sustainability.