Services

The North Shore Hospice area of service covers the North Shore from Devonport to Albany. Hibiscus Coast (Redvale to Puhoi) is served by the Hibiscus Coast Charitble Trust. North Rodney, Warkworth/Wellsford is covered by the Warkworth/Wellsford Hospice.

Hospice Community Palliative Care (CPC) Nursing Service

Most North Shore Hospice patients are cared for in their own homes, primarily by family and friends. An experienced palliative care nurse is available by phone 24 hours a day and in an emergency a CPC Nurse can visit out of hours. This service provides a rapid response to crises which may occur and enables patients and families to stay together in their homes longer.

The North Shore Community team offers skilled support for patients and families by providing not only practical nursing care but also emotional support, information and practical advice. Hospice nurses have specialist knowledge and expertise in order to care for terminally ill patients and they provide a point of contact for other health professionals to ensure that care for patients is coordinated and meets their individual needs.

While families assume primary responsibility for the daily care of their terminally ill relative, the nursing service is intended to support a family’s strengths and allow them, and the patient, to identify their owns needs. A 24 hour on-call service means that a visiting nurse is only a phone call away at any time. Community Palliative Care nurses visit routinely and the frequency of these visits is determined by families and in response to particular needs.

In Patient Service

The current 14 bed In Patient Unit at 7 Shea Terrace in Takapuna, Auckland provides facilities:

• when a patient is unable to be cared for at home, or
• to provide symptom control, or
• to provide respite to the family/whanau.

Many patients admitted to our unit are able to return home feeling much better than when they left it. Their care is continued at home by the Community Palliative Care Nurses.

Out Patient Clinic

An Out Patient Clinic is available for patients who require a medical review of their condition. It is also available to anyone who has concerns about the care of a terminally ill loved one. To access the services of this clinic, a referral is usually made by the General Practitioner (GP), another attendant Doctor or the Hospice’s Community Nurse. The result of the consultation are then sent to the patients’ GP, other involved Health Professionals and the patient if requested.

Medical Services

North Shore Hospice employs a skilled senior medical team which comprises 2 palliative care specialists, a registrar and a community physician with specialist palliative care expertise and knowledge. In conjuction with our nurses, our skilled medial team also care for patients in our In Patient Unit, visit patients in their homes and hold Out Patient Clinics. Our Medical Team liaise regularly with General Practitioners, Hospital Doctors and other relevant health care professionals. The medical team also contributes to the educational programme of the Hospice

Waitemata District Health Board has employed a District Palliative Care Medical Director who is based at North Shore Hospice and who supports the work of the medical team.

Day Group

One of the many activities that happen regularly at Hospice is Day Group, a vitally important service for our patients and their carers... (read more)

Family Support

The Experience of facing a terminal illness brings families into often unfamiliar territory beyond purely medial aspects. The North Shore Hospice Family Support Team are all professionally trained and qualified to bring a range of skills to helping patients and families identify and explore these issues. (Read more)

Counsellors
Hospice Counsellors are trained to work with the emotional, psychological and relational dimensions of terminal illness and bereavement.

Social Workers
Social Workers are available to assist families to access practical and financial help, residential and hospital care, and support for family issues.

Chaplain
Our chaplain is also available to support those for whom illness and bereavement opens questions of spirituality and faith.

Support Groups
Facilitated Support Groups are offered both for the elderly and for younger people who have lost partners (Read more) and for Bereaved Parents (Read more).

Life Review
Family Support also manages the life review team at the North Shore Hospice. A team of volunteers are available to assist patients who are interested in recording their life stories. (Read more)

Candle lighting services

Weekly candle lighting services are held in the Louise McCondach Quiet room where families and staff are able to acknowledge the significance and the sacredness of the moments we share together in the Hospice community. The brief 15 minute ceremony includes time for silent reflection, a brief reading or inclusive prayer and an opportunity to light a candle for those who have died or for whom we care. Any one is welcome to attend at 12.45pm each Wednesday.

Volunteer Programmes

Approximately 500 people volunteer their time and skills in a variety of ways. Volunteers support our reception, administration, shop assistants and domestic services. Our Board of Trustees are all voluntary.

Some volunteers are trained to work with patients and their families allowing caregivers some free time to pursue personal interests. They act as companions to the patient and family.

If you wish to receive more information, please contact us.

Education Programmes

North Shore Hospice has close involvement with Auckland University Medical School and the AUT Nursing Department. Students from both faculties spend time in training with us.

Our Registrar participates in a specialist training programme and provides valuable input into the whole medical team. Our support of palliative care trainees means we are able to ensure that the number of palliative care specialists in New Zealand is increased. Our District Clinical Nurse Educator who is employed by WDHB will introduce an education programme throughout the district.

Sanctuary

Our Sanctuary offers a place for our patients, their family and visitors to quietly reflect and pray. The Louise McCondach Quiet Room looks out onto a garden space through windows which features a panel to envoke a sense of peace, simplicity and reflection through images of hope and spirituality. The artist describes her artwork as:

“A small bird, alone, contemplates its future. It will leave this garden for another, in its own time, going through rich layers of memories and experiences. A small window opens…to what lies beyond…..Fly little bird, light and free.“

Our aim is for the sanctuary to provide a space where patients and their families, as well as Hospice staff and volunteers, may pause to connect with and draw strength from their resources of spirituality and faith.

Research

A number of postgraduate students are supervised by the District Medical Director in studying different aspects of palliate care. In addition, research work is undertaken within Waitemata District by Hospice staff and in conjunction with other agencies ie. Universities and Hospitals