Download the full Karuna 2007 Annual Report in pdf format.
We are very proud to present this year’s annual report. 2007 has been a special year for all those involved with Karuna Hospice Services. Below is an extract, or you can download the full document above.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
2006/07 marks the tenth and final year that I will serve on Karuna’s Board of Management. I will also be retiring from the position of Chairman, which I have had the privilege of holding for the past eight years. Over the years, I have witnessed Karuna mature from a relatively small organisation into one that is continually growing in relevance and reputation in the community.
Karuna continues to respond to an ever increasing demand for its services and this is reflected in the progress made during the year in review. I am pleased to report that 2006/ 07 was one of the most successful in Karuna’s 15 year of operations.
HOME CARE PROGRAM
During 2006/07, Karuna cared for 344 families. With support from the community we were able to build our nursing team to 7.7 (FTE) and as a result we were able to increase the number of families we cared for each month to 56. Increasing the nursing pool also meant we were able to reach a milestone and extend our geographical boundaries to the south side of Brisbane.
COUNSELLING AND SPIRITUAL CARE PROGRAM
Over the past year, Karuna’s team of counsellors and spiritual carers provided support to 480 families experiencing a recent bereavement, 138 clients and their families living with a life limiting illness and 124 people with other issues relating to end of life.
WORKPLACE TRAINING AND EDUCATION
As part of our commitment to supporting the development of the palliative care workforce for the future, Karuna continued to offer education and training opportunities for students, nurses, counsellors and General Practitioners. In 2006/07 Karuna offered 10 student nursing placements and 4 clinical placements for qualified health professionals. In addition, Karuna developed a comprehensive specialist palliative care training program for registered nurses in collaboration with the Centre for Palliative Care Research and Education (CPCRE) and the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
LIFE EDUCATION
The demand for Karuna’s unique Life Education courses continued to grow during the year. In response to this demand Karuna offered ten courses, attracting over 150 participants to the program. The most popular courses are Introduction to Buddhism, Open Heart Peaceful Mind and What Happens When We Die.
