As we approach World Hospice and Palliative Care Day on 12 October, Silverchain proudly celebrates 130 years of care, connection, and innovation. This milestone also marks over four decades since we began providing specialised end-of-life care in the comfort of our client's homes. Central to this legacy is the remarkable journey of Vivienne Ferrier, a nurse whose compassion and vision shaped the landscape of in home palliative care in Western Australia.
Born in 1931, Vivienne's nursing path led her to Silverchain in 1976. While working as a Liaison Sister Nurse at Royal Perth Hospital, she recognised a crucial unmet need: supporting people with life-limiting illnesses as they transitioned from hospital to home. This realisation fuelled her passion for hospice care and set the stage for a transformative career at Silverchain.
In 1982, Silverchain embarked on a pioneering initiative, becoming one of the first organisations in Australia to offer specialised in home palliative care. This pilot project, in collaboration with the Western Australian government and the Cancer Council, paved the way for Silverchain to independently run the service from 1984 onwards. Vivienne, with her deep understanding of client needs who face life limiting illness, played a pivotal role in establishing this groundbreaking service.
Navigating the early challenges of this new model of care, Vivienne and her colleagues laid the groundwork for the future of in-home palliative care. Her unwavering dedication led to her appointment as Coordinator of Silverchain's Hospice Palliative Care Service in 1983. She tirelessly expanded the service, trained new staff, and strengthened the quality of care, ensuring clients received the utmost comfort and support in their final days at home.
Vivienne's leadership and profound understanding of end-of-life care were instrumental to the success of Silverchain's palliative care program. Today, we provide palliative care to thousands of Australians each year in the own homes, through interdisciplinary teams of clinical and care professionals. We extend our support beyond clinical care, offering crucial respite and bereavement services to family members and carers.
As Silverchain marks its 130th anniversary, we celebrate pioneers like Vivienne Ferrier and the enduring legacy they've created. Her story exemplifies Silverchain's unwavering commitment to providing compassionate in-home palliative care, a service that we have proudly led the way for over 40 years.
