South Australia

OSWA (SA) is a group of Oncology social workers with a common interest. Jeanie O’Connor is the current state convenor, working with a “core group” of four other social workers.
 

• Aim of the group:
   
  • To support SA Social Workers in providing an excellent psychosocial service to those individuals and their families affected by a diagnosis of cancer.
     
  • To participate on committees/forums where the needs of cancer patients are being discussed or policies made, in order to advocate on behalf of people with cancer to meet psychosocial needs or address gaps in services in SA, and to provide consultation/ feedback regarding the psychosocial needs of people to groups/organisations involved in the care of people with cancer.
     
  • To promote research in our areas of work which may lead to improvements in psychosocial care of individuals and their families.
     
  • To foster education and information sharing.
     

• Objectives: 
  
  
  • To provide a supportive environment for social workers with an interest in Oncology to network with each other and share information.
     
  • To organise Professional Development sessions of interest to the group and to give information regarding seminars/conferences held locally, nationally and internationally.
     
  • To provide opportunities and support to undergo research.
     
  • To encourage involvement and networking with social workers in rural areas working with people with cancer.
     
• Membership criteria:
  Open to all social workers residing in SA with an interest in oncology social work practice.
   
• Fees:
  Membership of OSWA is encouraged but not essential { Fees not included}
  
   
• Description of group activities:
  Three professional development sessions are held annually, as well as a Christmas/end of year breakfast. The state convenor informs members via email of upcoming meetings and forwards on any other information which may be of interest to members.
   
• Location/venue:
  Professional development sessions are usually held at The Cancer Council of SA meeting room, on Greenhill Road, Parkside. Christmas breakfast and meetings of the “core group” are usually held at a central location in the Adelaide CBD.
   
• Day/time: 
  Triannual meetings are generally held on Tuesday mornings, in March, June and September.
   

All sessions held at The Cancer Council, Greenhill Rd at 830-1100.

We may also have an extra session on August 3^rd  Our annual Christmas breakfast will be December 7^th.

Please contact Jeanie for further information.

• Convenor:
  Jeanie O’Connor
  jeanie.oconnor@oswa.net.au
  Senior Social Worker – oncology/haematology
  Social Work & Counselling Services
  Flinders Medical Centre
  Bedford Park 5042
  
  Ph: (08) 82045511
  Pager: 38253
  Fax: (08) 82044512
  
  
• Core group:
  Cecily Dolman, Senior Social Worker Royal Adelaide Hospital
  Sue Pike, Senior Social Worker Women’s and Children’s Hospital
  Deb Hall, Senior Social Worker The Cancer Council (SA)
  Chris Ridley, Senior Social Worker Western Palliative Care Services
   
• Links
  
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