Healthcare Professionals - About Poi
Poi (Palliative Outcomes Initiative) is Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ) & Te Aka Whai Ora (Māori Health Authority) funded programme that supports GPs, Practice Nurses and Clinical Managers to provide the best possible care for people approaching the last year to months of their life.
Poi is run by the specialist hospices of Auckland with the aim of supporting palliative care capacity in primary care (general practice and residential care facilities).
Poi MDTs primary focus is to offer consultation and education for clinicians but may see clients alongside the clinician from time to time. Poi promotes the use of evidence-based tools in the early recognition of need for palliative approach to care (last 6-12 months of life).
Having holistic conversations with clients and whānau around planning for the future and supporting quality of life. Clients can have a Poi plan (PPA) and be referred to hospice later if needed. Poi is not for clients who are already under active care of hospice.
Consistent, high-quality palliative care that aligns with regional HealthPathways
1. Identifying people with a palliative need
General practice and residential care identify patients who would benefit from a palliative approach. They are supported in this through the use of the Supportive & Palliative Care Indicators Tool (SPICT), an evidence-based tool.
2.Developing a palliative care plan
Clinicians have a conversation with the patient and family to develop a holistic palliative care plan. Payment for the plan completion is administered via the POAC regional infrastructure.
3. Receiving expert advice
Following completion of the plan, the local hospice Poi team will make contact with general practice and residential care to provide free expert advice on the management and support for that patient.
4. Delivering palliative care services
Patient’s palliative care needs are managed and coordinated by general practice, residential care in collaborations with other community providers, including hospice (if required).
5. Helping to build skills and capability
New multi-disciplinary Poi teams have been established across Auckland to help develop palliative
care skills and capacity within residential care and general practice through free packages of coaching and training. These Poi Clinical teams work from local hospices. Additional capacity development will be available through a Link Nurse programme. This support is in addition to existing training options, such as Fundamentals of Palliative Care.