We provide specialist training and ongoing education for volunteers and other health professionals. Educational sessions for community groups are available on request.  To view our current education programme please click here.

Therapeutic massage and library resources including: books, pamphlets, tapes and videos are available for patients and families.

If required patients may borrow loan equipment which includes; beds, wheelchairs, walking aids, chairs.

Terminal illness affects partners, parents, children relatives and friends. Family support is an important part of the multidisciplinary team and is available to all patients and families referred to Waipuna Hospice. It includes counselling services, social work, bereavement support programmes and groups

A day programme is provided once a week on a Thursday, and includes a wide range of topics and interests such as music, art, poetry, guest speakers, entertainment and trips.

Specially recruited, trained and supervised volunteers support all components of the hospice programme. Some volunteers help support patients and their families while others help with reception, administration, computers, drivers, fundraising, day unit hosts, librarians, massage therapists, biographers, gardeners, car cleaners or assist on a rostered basis in our second hand trading shops.

To find out more about becoming a Hospice Volunteer click here

 

 

 

 

 

A specialist nursing team provide support and care in the community to people from Waihi Beach to Paengoroa 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This service allows patients to remain in their own home amongst their family and friends.

The dedicated nursing team looks after between 130 and 180 patients at any one time. They are supported by one part time Doctor who also liaises with Tauranga Hospital palliative patients in conjunction with our hospital liaison nurse. Our nurses visit patients and their families in their home every day of the week and are on call every night. Last year over 7500 home visits and 12,500 phone calls were made by nurses to support our patients. Our community nurses check on the patient's pain management and medication at each visit and talk to the patient about how they are feeling and discuss any problems or concerns.

Our services are predominantly community based, however the twelve bed inpatient unit complements these services. Currently nine beds are utilised and the additional three beds will be commissioned as our funding allows in association with meeting the increased demand due to population growth. The current cost per day to care for a patient is $722 which, thanks to government funding and community support, is fully funded enabling us to provide a free service.

24 hour care is provided by specialist palliative care nurses and medical staff. Short term admission for pain and symptom control, respite care and end of life care can be arranged if necessary. Our dedicated team includes at least one Doctor on every day and three shifts of Registered Nurses and Medical Assistants. Our Doctors and Nurses spend time with the patients ensuring that their medication is effective by monitoring their condition and ensuring that they are as comfortable as possible. Our Inpatient Unit also gives the patient's family a chance to let someone else take over the responsibility of care. Our ratio of care is one nurse for every three patients.

A Medical Palliative Care Specialist is a member of the multidisciplinary team and is available for consultation on referral by General Practitioners.

Patients can be referred to Waipuna Hospice by their GP, hospital doctor or medical specialist. However as it is a community organisation anyone, be they patient, family member or health professional, should feel free to contact the hospice if they are concerned that a need of someone living with teminal cancer is not being met and our staff will coordinate a referral as required by their GP.

The major focus of Waipuna Hospice is the provision of a specialist hospice/palliative care service and the co-ordination of palliative care services for the Western Bay of Plenty area.

This incorporated direct service provision and advice and support to other health service providers.