hospice care back in town

A floral coincidence ushers in the news that Wairarapa once again has its own dedicated hospice.
Hospice Wairarapa's new premises at 59 Renall Street, Masterton is called "Te Kowhai" - the native flower that is also the emblem of Hospice New Zealand.
It's been just over a year since Te Omanga withdrew its hospice services from the Wairarapa when the DHB took over the responsibility for palliative care.
The closure and loss of the hospice team drew an emotive response from the community but Hospice Wairarapa members reckon the aptly named "Te Kowhai" is a sign of good things to come.
"We believe this will be an excellent location and a great base for volunteers and the services we will be offering to support the terminally ill and their families in our community" Hospice Wairarapa chairman Lloyd Wilson said.
Following public consultation last year, with meetings in all the Wairarapa towns to gauge support for a hospice service, the Trustees have been actively fundraising, and will also be seeking to raise debentures, donations and grants to complete the purchase, Mr Wilson said.
The Trust is planning a 'welcome home' function for volunteers, with the aim of having the first elements of the new service up and running before Christmas.
After recent talks with the Ministry of Health, Hospice New Zealand, Te Omanga and DHB palliative care service Kahukura, Hospice Wairarapa has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the DHB whereby hospice services will be re-introduced to Wairarapa to supplement the clinical services run under the Kahukura umbrella.
Hospice Wairarapa will have responsibility for providing the psycho-social services including volunteers, biographers, bereavement counselling and a library service and will also be assisting with equipment purchase, maintenance and distribution.
Hospice Wairarapa will remain wholly independent but will work alongside Kahukura, and other organisations such as the Cancer Society.
"Te Kowhai" will also be available for use as a base for other groups such as Prostrate Cancer.
In researching models of how a hospice service could work in a community with the geographic spread of the Wairarapa, trustees recently visited the Taupo hospice and were impressed to see how their activities work so successfully in meeting the needs of patients and families.
"From this experience we are also planning to run a day/respite care programme and we are really excited about how this can work in our community," Mr Wilson said.
He said a dedicated in-patient facility is still some time away, and community nursing remains the responsibility of the DHB, but the clear focus of the Trust is ensuring that appropriate palliative care facilities and services embracing the Hospice philosophy and principles are readily available to all terminally ill.
"Many people believe hospice is about a building, when in fact it is a philosophy of care - most hospices have inpatient facilities where people go for respite, symptom and pain management or during their last days - but in fact the majority of people are, by choice, cared for in their homes in the community. Our goal is to help people make the most of their lives, to live every moment in whatever way is important to them."
"The hospice philosophy extends beyond just the physical needs of a person and extends to their emotional, spiritual and social needs as well, Depending on when our services are sought, living every moment can take on a different meaning. It might be going to watch a sporting or cultural event; it might be time with family and friends, through to holding someone's hand or feeling the sun on their skin through a window. The most important aspect is that we celebrate that that person is alive and ensure they are receiving the care and support both they and their family need.
"We expect that on an annual basis we will work with at least 150 terminally ill people per year, but the impact of hospice goes well beyond that as support is extended to families also.
"Our Trustees and steering committee have very much appreciated the support and encouragement extended by the community. We will be establishing a 'friends' network as well as developing our funding base and number of trained volunteers."
 
 
 
 
Sidebars
 
The shared philosophy of Hospice New Zealand
Anyone who is dying has the opportunity to celebrate their life with the help of hospice
Patients always come first - every decision is based on this belief
Caring - We genuinely care about our people, patients and their families' needs.
Respect - we demonstrate respect in all our dealings with patients and their families, recognising diversity.
Professionalism - in all instances we will act professionally and with compassion
Determined - we are driven to work in partnership with our communities
 
In 2008 the country's 29 hospices provided a range of services according to the needs of local communities,
 
More than 13,000 people received care and support from hospice, an increase of 22% from 2007.
We made more than 126,000 community visits to people in their homes and there were nearly 5000 admissions to hospice inpatient facilities.
More than 7000 people volunteered to work for hospice, giving more than 455,000 hours of their time in various roles. Many of the services we provide would not be possible without the support of our huge volunteer team.
All care and support hospices provide is completely free of charge, in 2009 it will cost just over $73m to do that.