The Gibraltar Health Authority and Pancreatic Cancer Gibraltar have teamed up with the University of Cardiff and City Hospice and have held two courses at Bleak House on advanced communications in palliative and end-of-life care for health care professionals. 

A statement from the GHA follows below:

This vital training is aimed to enhance communication skills across all disciplines, supporting  specialist and generalist providers in delivering high-quality, compassionate care. 

Additionally, the programme has provided participants with a comprehensive set of skills to  enable effective communication with patients and families. 

The two courses have been delivered over four days, with small group learning, simulations with  actors and supported by online learning materials via the digital platform from Cardiff University.  Professor Fiona Rawlinson and Dr Margred Capel travelled from the Welsh capital and were  joined by GHA Dr Bronwen James in delivering the course. 

Great emphasis was given to language and behaviours that facilitate sensitive conversations and  those that might block effective communication. Participants received written formative  feedback on group work at the conclusion of the course. 

Dr Bronwen James said: “We are thrilled to announce the upcoming Advanced Communications  Course to support Gibraltar’s healthcare professionals. This initiative is proudly sponsored by the  Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Charity, whose unwavering support and recognition of the critical  role of Palliative Care in our community is deeply appreciated.” 

Spokesman for the Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Gibraltar charity Louis Baldachino said: “The GHA provides an invaluable service and we are proud to be able to sponsor these courses  on the special skills required when communicating with patients and families needing palliative  and end of life care. Palliative care plays a vital role with cancer patients and their families and  sadly, very much so for pancreatic cancer patients in Gibraltar. We have been working with Dr  Bronwen James since early this year to be able to bring over a team to provide these courses, and  are grateful to her and to the facilitators from Cardiff University. Our charity funded similar courses in 2018 and we are delighted to do so again. Healthcare professionals much deserve all  the support that we can provide.” 

GHA Director General Kevin McGee said: “We are delighted to be involved in these training  courses and grateful for the support of Cancer Relief, whose partnership through a service level  agreement with City Hospice, Cardiff has enabled expert speakers from Cardiff University and  City Hospice to participate and Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Gibraltar for sponsoring the  participation. Their contribution highlights the powerful impact of charitable organisations in  advancing and sustaining health services for our community.” 

The Minister for Health and Care, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, said: “I am grateful to  Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Gibraltar, Cardiff University and City Hospice for helping us  deliver this essential training to our professionals. Supporting our GHA teams in these delicate  conversations ensures patients and families feel understood and respected.”