As social workers, Palliative Care setting is another scope to practice social work in a multi-disciplinary team. Unfortunately a few of social workers are involving Palliative Care Social Work in Srilanka. The huge needs of Social worker in the Palliative care settings in Srilanka are always available. This is a right time to know about the Palliative Care Social Work.

1. Practice of Palliative Care SocialWork in
Sri Lanka
A Concept paper
Present by:
Thahir Noorul Isra (PCSW) &
Yogarajan Susila (PCSW)

2. What is Palliative Care
WHO definition
Palliative care – is an approach that improves the
quality of life of patients who are facing the
challenges associated with life-threatening
illness, through the prevention and relief of
suffering by means of early identification and
impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and
other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual.

3. What is Palliative Care Social Work
Social Work Mean (IFSW-2014)
Social work engages with people, communities and
structures to address life challenges and enhance
wellbeing. Palliative Care Social work also enhance
the quality of life of Patient with life threatening
illness.
Social Worker who works for Palliative Care
patient call as Palliative Care Social Worker.
(http://www.apcsw.org.uk)

4. Social Work Methods and
Palliative Care Social Work

5. Spectrum of Palliative Care Social Work
3 H
H ospital
H ospice
H ome

6. Knowledge and Skills of Palliative Care Social Worker
Knowledge SocialWork Knowledge
Palliative Care Knowledge
Skills Critical Reflection Skill
Intervention Skill
Organizational Skill
Communication Skill
Empathy Skill
Professional Leadership

7. Palliative Care Social Worker is a member of Multi
Disciplinary Team (MDT)
General
Practitioner
Volunteer
Stake
Holders
Counsellor
Other
Caregivers
Nurses
Spiritual
Care
Physical and
Occupational
Therapist
Social
Worker
Physician
Patient and
Family
Patient and
Family

8. Role of Palliative Care Social Worker
 Value an individual through holistic approach
 Ensure each person gets fair access to care ( help to meet his/her needs
 Maximizing comfort and wellbeing
 Care is coordinated ( try to meet other wishes and responsibility)
 All (staff) are prepared to care –
(Raise awareness and develop skills to ensure that people feel supported
within their communities.)
 Prepare Each community to palliative care

9. Scope of Palliative Care Social Work in
Srilanka
 3 H: Hospital, Hospice and Home
 Boards and Authorities (Cancer control Board), CKD
 Oncology and selected non communicable departments
 Non- Governmental Organizations
 Community Organizations
 Teaching hospitals
 Divisional Secretariat (SOCIAL WORKERS TRAINED by Kurunegala - Teaching
hospital)
 Community settings –Anuradhapura, Mannar , Kaluthara and Mattakuliya
 Foundations - Kadheeja foundation, Save the Purl

10. Palliative Care SocialWork in Srilanka
As at 2015, the Social Service
Officers who are working in divisional
secretariat were trained by the team
of Kurunegala teaching hospital.

11. Gathering and
initial discussion
Identification of
needs
Finding for
resources
Planning
Train the
trainees (TOT)
Meetings with
various groups
Observation
Visit and
gathering data
Study on data
and
implementation
Building up a
‘Home Care
Unit’
The process of Home base Palliative Care Setting
following by Social Worker

12. As a Palliative Care Social Worker
my contribution
On Palliative Care day celebration at BMICH in the year of 2015
organized by Sri Lanka Association of Palliative Care

13. As a Palliative Care Social Worker
my contributions
Deliver the guest speech on implementing Palliative Care in Muslim
Community on Palliative Care day celebration at SLMCA in the year of
2016 organized by National Cancer Control Board.

14. As a Palliative Care Social Worker
my contribution
Live Programme on Role of Social Worker in Palliative Care Setting
UTHAYAMTV, on Palliative Care Day 14/10/ 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa1TzDZdg_k

15. 08. Study on data and ImplementationSome activities

16. 01. 02. 03.
04.05.
Finding for resources
07. 08. 09.
ThankYou
Process

17. 01. 02. 03.
04.05.
Finding for resources
07. 08. 09.
Paper Presented in