Charlene Swanevelder
 

Specialty POI Nurse, Tōtara Hospice, Te Kahu Pairuri o Tōtara, South Auckland, NZ
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Charlene brings over 30 years of nursing experience to her current role as a Specialty POI Nurse at Tōtara Hospice  Te Kahu Pairuri o Tōtara in South Auckland. In this position, she provides education and support to the residential aged care sector in South Auckland. Charlene has held the position of  Community Palliative Care Nurse and POI Specialist Nurse in palliative care. Her nursing background also includes experience in respiratory services. Charlene originates from South Africa and has 22years of experience working in South Auckland.

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Palliative Outcomes Initiative:

Advancing Equitable Palliative Care for ​Adults in Auckland
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With an aging population and growing demand for end-of-life care, the need for equitable, high-quality palliative services in community settings is more urgent than ever. The Palliative Outcomes Initiative (POI) is a collaborative regional programme led by Auckland’s five specialist hospices—Franklin, West Auckland, Mercy, Harbour, and Totara—in partnership with Te Whatu Ora and Te Aka Whai Ora. POI aims to enhance the capacity and capability of primary and residential care providers to deliver timely, person- and whānau-centred palliative care.

Core components of the initiative include the early identification of individuals approaching the end of life using validated tools, the development of Palliative Plans of Action (PPAs), and the integration of hospice support into community and aged residential care. A strong emphasis is placed on workforce development through targeted training for General Practitioners with Special Interest (GPSIs), Link Nurses, and health professionals.

Since its inception, POI has improved early recognition of palliative needs, strengthened care coordination, and increased provider confidence. These outcomes have led to more meaningful, compassionate care experiences for patients and their whānau. POI offers a scalable, culturally responsive model for delivering consistent, high-quality palliative care across diverse communities.