Palliative care focus changes
For patient Patricia Weiss, the care provided by Hospice North Shore was life-changing.
The 50-year-old mother of two, who has stage four secondary breast cancer which spread into her bones, was suffering extreme side-effects from radiation in June last year.
‘‘There was absolutely no where else to go, I couldn’t stay at home and they wouldn’t take me in hospital. I came here on a stretcher, I was very unwell … Within a day my husband said, ‘Oh my god, you’re transformed.’ ‘‘
Contrary to Weiss’ preconceptions, the hospice is not a place for people to die - about 70 per cent of patients have only a short-term stay while their medication is adjusted.
Weiss also learnt hospice is much more than the services in its building, with services also offered to patients in their homes.
At the launch of a new model for palliative care on March 30, Health Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman agreed the service at North Shore hospice is second-to-none.
But he wants all patients with a terminal illness across the country to have access to the same level of care.
A Review of Adult Palliative Care found there is space for improvement, Coleman says.
Change is also needed as the number of patients needing palliative care is expected to soar by 50 per cent in the next 20 years, due to New Zealand’s ageing population.
Priority areas identified in the review include increasing emphasis on existing primary healthcare workers, improving quality, growing the capability of informal carers, responding to the voices of people with a terminal illness and ensuring strong strategic direction.
Finances were not mentioned at the launch but Coleman says palliative care continues to be a priority for the Government.
More support will be needed, says Barbara Williams, who chairs a group of representatives from Auckland hospices, DHBs, and primary and residential care, called Better Palliative Care Outcomes, which contributed to the review.
‘‘This is a Pandora’s box. We will lift the lid and, as we do, we will see that the need is great.’’