Barbara Baker

Hospice nurse Barbara (Barb) Baker lobbied to raise the profile of palliative care and re-establish end-of-life care services in northern Tasmania.

During nursing training at Launceston’s St Vincent’s Hospital, Barb learned that end-of-life nursing was an area where she could make a difference. Palliative care became a great interest throughout Barb’s nursing career of over 30 years.

Barb was a founding staff member of the Philip Oakden Hospice, in 1993, and was involved in professional development to assist staff keep abreast of advancements in palliative care.

Although Barb is regarded as “always alongside others, never out front” she became a public voice for the hospice by organising annual memorial services, Palliative Care Week and participating in Relay for Life.

When Philip Oakden House closed in 2007, northern Tasmania was left with no public palliative care beds. Barb attempted to reverse the decision by campaigning, organising rallies, advocating, and meeting politicians. Fifteen years of lobbying paid off. In 2022 the Australian Government committed $20 million towards a new palliative care hospice facility within the Launceston General Hospital precinct.

Barb is spokesperson and Vice Chair of the Friends of the Northern Hospice, northern representative on the Palliative Care Clinical Network, a former Board member of the Northern Hospice and Palliative Care Foundation and Council member of Tasmanian Association for Hospice and Palliative Care.

Barb is past President, Secretary, and current Board member of The Helping Hand Association (Longford) an ecumenical emergency relief venture assisting community members in need. Barb always offers practical help such as meals for families, when needed, or assistance when their loved ones need palliative care. Many a time Barb has been found at the side of a dying person.

Barb has also had active roles in Church of the Apostles and St Patrick’s College in Launceston; St Augustine’s Catholic Church and Toosey Residential Aged Care Facility in Longford. Barb was also involved with upgrading the Mill Dam recreation area.

Barb was the Northern Midlands Council Citizen of the Year in 2016.