Ashka Jolly

Ashka Jolly began working as a paediatric palliative care nurse after caring for adults in palliative care and children in the haematology and oncology centre. In paediatric haematology and oncology the voice of the child and principles of palliative care were being integrated. Ashka found that child and family-centred care could have a powerful impact on the care providers, the family, and, of course, the child.

Ashka was appointed the first paediatric palliative care clinician for the Australian Capital Territory and Nurse Educator, as part of the Quality of Care Collaborative Australia. Ashka also has experience in safety and quality, research and hospice care. The disparity between clinical care and quality improvement, and further exploration of the child and family’s experience, piqued Ashka’s interest in how care could be improved. This coincides with working as a consultant for Palliative Care Australia for the Paediatric Palliative Care National Action Plan. Ashka recently completed the Advanced Masters of Nursing, and has completed tertiary studies in palliative care, oncology and gender studies.

Ashka believes the addition of a bereavement framework for all parents whose children have died can firstly enable services to hear the experience of the child and family, and will enable a commitment to child and family-centred care. A bereavement support meeting could also provide an intervention that is therapeutic for families, and acknowledges the legacy of the child who has died.

Ashka acknowledges the work, care and research from colleagues across Australia, and New Zealand, and the individuals and services from the United Kingdom and Scandinavia who have provided time and energy to Ashka’s Churchill Fellowship. Ashka acknowledges Leigh Donovan and their Churchill Fellowship. Most importantly Ashka acknowledges the families who have voiced the need for a feedback mechanism, the opportunity for better care provision, and the children who continue to leave a legacy that will not be forgotten.