Mercy Hospice on College Hill, Ponsonby, provides a range of specialist, community palliative care and hospice services for people facing life-limiting illnesses.
Consequently the Hospice Care Club has been introduced, a service committed to ensuring all those in our community needing palliative care receive it with the utmost professional skill and respect.
Fundraiser Anne Wright told Ponsonby News that 90 kind people have already pledged a monthly donation in support of the new hospice Care Club.
Donations will help provide comfort and emotional support to patients and family/whanau in their own homes, including dealing with symptoms such as pain, nausea and vomiting.
The community palliative care team of nurses, doctors, family support and pastoral care staff provide home visits, a 24-hour phone line for advice, liaison with other health specialists and access to equipment to help patients stay independent.
The team at Mercy Hospice currently cares for 300 patients at any one time and services are provided free of charge.
The mission of Mercy Hospice is “Through service, advocacy and education, we are committed to ensuring that all those in our community needing palliative care, receive it with the utmost professional skill and respect.” Their values include dignity, compassion, respect, quality, advocacy and stewardship. Ponsonby News hopes that more locals will heed the call for donations to provide hospice care in the community to all those that need it. Your monthly gift will make all the difference to the lives of patients and families.
For further details and for information on the benefits of joining the Hospice Care Club contact Anne Wright on 09 376 7578 or email anne.wright@mercyhospice.org.nz or visit www.mercyhospice.org.nz. (JOHN ELLIOTT)