Northern Health celebrated the remarkable career of Dr Barbara Hayes as she transitions into an honorary role.
Dr Hayes has been a clinical leader in advance care planning and palliative care physician at Northern Health.
Her journey began in 1995 within the North Western Healthcare Network, where she managed palliative care beds at what is now the Royal Park campus of the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
When Northern Health became independent in 2002, Dr Hayes and the palliative care beds moved to Broadmeadows Health Service, where she led the palliative care unit and provided consultative support across the organisation.
Northern Health said her leadership has been instrumental in shaping Northern Health’s advance care planning program the past 18 years.
“I think end-of-life care systems have changed a lot over the years, but patients haven’t,” Dr Hayes said.
“Their needs are the same, and the importance of understanding the whole patient, and their place in their family, and society, is very important.
“I like that palliative care is the only medical speciality to include spirituality as a core need of patients.
“Many people would identify as having a spiritual element to who they are – not necessarily religious. It is good to recognise this in health care.”
Originally planning to study geriatrics, Dr Hayes soon realised the importance of palliative care in that sector.
She never looked back.
“I decided to obtain some palliative care experience, and stayed,” she said. “I was asked to take on advance care planning while completing a PhD – ethical CPR decision making. This gave me a lot of skills that enabled further research, teaching and process development, such as the goals of care.
As Dr Hayes enters her next chapter of life, she looks forward to pursuing research as part of her honorary appointment with Northern Health appointment.
“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to meet so many extraordinary people who have lived extraordinary lives, and for the kindness shown to me by patients and families,” she said. “I will remember some of my patients until the day I die.”
