Rotorua $20,000 grant buys pain relief equipment for Rotorua Hospice

Rotorua Community Hospice staff with the new equipment. Photo/Supplied

A $20,000 grant from Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust to buy specialised equipment has been warmly recieved by the local Hospice.

Rotorua Hospice educator Cathie Sheely said the additional funds meant the Hospice had more equipment available to lend to patients and ensure their needs were being met.

The equipment bought include syringe drivers, which are used to deliver around the clock pain medication for patients.

A Rotorua Hospice nurse will visit once every 24 hours to assess patients' needs while using a pump.

"Syringe pumps ensure quality of life and help to make end-of-life care comfortable."

Each year, the Rotorua Community Hospice receives about 50 per cent of funding through government contracts, with the remaining raised through grants, events, service clubs, donations and the two local Hospice shops.

All services are provided free of charge for about 420 patients in Rotorua each year.

The clinical team is made up of nurses, health care assistants and a social worker which visits patients in their homes to ensure they get the care and support needed.

In any given month, there are more than 100 patients in Hospice care.