You will often hear the term palliative care which means alleviating without curing. Hospice specialises in providing palliative care - symptom control and pain management which cure is no longer an option. We also offer support services to patients and their support networks whether this be family, friends, neighbors, or staff at rest homes and hospital.
Hospice staff and volunteers care for each person as an individual and take into account the person's physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs. In addition to palliative care nursing and specialist medical support, we provide respite care, practical support such as meal preparation, loan equipment, bereavement support and a chaplaincy service.
During the course of a year, the hospice receives approximately 430 new patient referrals; this is in addition to our ongoing case load of existing patients.
- Last year we cared for 629 patients and provided support services for their families
- 228 patients were admitted to our Inpatient Unit for symptom management and pain relief, respite care or end of life care.
- Our nurses did more than 9,304 visits to patients in the community.
- We have over 85 staff working in a variety of roles
- Around 300 volunteers support all components of our service.
- We need to raise over $1.5 million each year to meet the shortfall between our Government Funding and our operating costs.
Annual Report 08/09
