Last Thursday the 3rd of September, PCSWA held our first members-only event. A virtual forum to reflect on the impact of COVID-19 and how PCSWA members can continue to be of service to each other, our patients, families, our services and our communities.
This interactive, Open Discussion was hosted by Joanne Cottrell, Co-facilitator of the Mental Health Professional Network and the Convenor of the Social Workers in Private Practice NSW group, who kindly donated her time and technological know-how. With 30 members attending from across Australia, Jo created intimate breakout rooms, individually facilitated by PCSWA Chair Dr Pippa Blackburn and Consultants Dr Lise Johns and Felicity Moon.
These breakout rooms allowed social workers to share their professional and personal experiences during COVID-19 and have candid conversations on experiences, fears and feelings, while fostering compassionate social connection.
The online forum featured an In Conversation with Angela Tonge, a senior ICU Social Worker at QLD’s Princess Alexandra Hospital, and was facilitated by PCSWA Ethics Consultant Professor Donna McAuliffe.
Professor McAuliffe was proud to host the interview, remarking that “anyone who ever doubted that social work is an ‘essential service’ would be challenged by listening to this account of social worker in action in a hospital ICU. The critical importance of supporting family relationships right to the end is one of the best things a social worker can ever do”.
Some of Angela’s ‘pearls’ that really spoke to some of the participants were around the themes of delivering ‘healthcare with heart’, and how ‘the intensity of the situation brings impactful engagement’ – these may be small things we do in our roles, but the effects are loud.
PCSWA will be requesting feedback from members regarding areas of interest for future events and look forward to hosting future interactive professional development sessions.
