Hospice continues quality care in difficult times
Some very hard decisions had to be made to save the branch.
South Coast Hospice was established 41 years ago to provide expert palliative care to patients and their families living with life-threatening illnesses.
Palliative care is a specific philosophy of care that incorporates the body, the mind and the spirit. Pain and symptom control is a palliative care speciality and plays an important role in the relief and comfort of terminally ill patients.
Hospice is about the quality of life, not necessarily the quantity. Patients can register on diagnosis of a terminal illness, which allows staff to provide care, comfort and support to them and their families.
Last year, hospice faced the harsh reality that it would have to close down. However, the tenacious staff and a dedicated board persevered, and the ‘Help Hospice’ campaign was launched.
Some difficult decisions had to be made to save the branch, which meant the closing of the In-Patient Unit and, with it, the retrenchment of many highly skilled, dedicated staff and the sale of valuable assets and home-care vehicles.
The cost of keeping a unit which is open 24/7, 365 days a year, with three shifts of staff, was an insurmountable expense and compounded with the dilemma of providing care to people who are destitute at the most vulnerable time of their lives.
CEO Diane Van Dyk said hospice extends its heartfelt gratitude to the countless community members who stepped in and supported them not only in cash funding but with in-kind donations, which has been overwhelming and sustained the hospice charity shop situated on the property. The charity shop trades every Tuesday and Thursday from 08:30 to 15:30.
“Our challenge is not over, and we extend an urgent plea to all our communities. Your contributions will make a huge difference. At this time, expertise is needed from retired doctors and nurses who can add great value to our continuity. If you’ve had an experience with South Coast Hospice, we urge you to become an ambassador and advocate for the services of hospice, which can benefit others in their journey of terminal illness,” said Van Dyk.
Currently, hospice sees 70 patients at their homes, supervised by Sister Dina Thorncroft under the guidance of Dr Hilton Horsley.
The team is grateful for the contribution by the Department of Health for palliative care cervices.
“We provide a chronic medicine pickup point for 250 people. Hospice has the longest-standing Day Care Support groups established 41 years ago by our founders Kath Defilippi, Amy Johnson and Joan Hudson. May their memory be a blessing. The Day Care Support group is for patients in remission, supported by Irene Jacobs, Barbara Hall and Sandy Ferguson under the guidance of Karin Warman,” added Van Dyk.
South Coast Hospice is a registered practice and can claim from medical aid.
The facility plans on opening a day clinic for specific services, which will pave the way to the reopening of the In-Patient Unit. The day clinic services will include general health checks focusing on stoma and wound care, bloods, PSA and cervical screening at a minimal fee.
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