New palliative care package
Death is inevitable but for most people facing the end of their life, it should be a natural experience not to be frightened of, a South Canterbury palliative specialist consultant says.
Many people are afraid because of the images broadcast on television portraying death as full of suffering and pain, but the reality is completely different, said Dr Catherine D’Souza, who is jointly employed by the South Canterbury District Health Board (SCDHB) and Hospice South Canterbury.
‘‘At times when I am with somebody as they’re dying it can be a beautiful time,’’ she said.
‘‘A time when they are at peace and there is peace among the family. They are calm and settled and there is a feeling of ‘this is a complete circle now’.’’
Death brings people together when they otherwise would not have been, she said.
D’Souza and clinical nurse specialist in palliative care, Amanda Jennings, spoke to Stuff about the SCDHB’s introduction of its new last days of life package, Te Ara Whakapiri, which means the path of unity in Ma¯ ori.
‘‘It’s an end of life care package to guide the care of people who are dying. It’s been created in New Zealand by Kiwi palliative care professionals, specifically for our culture and our health system,’’ Jennings said. ‘‘It has a lot of cultural considerations. It looks at whanau needs, it looks at the spiritual needs and the emotional side of life as well as the physical needs of the person as they’re dying’’
Jennings said the previous programme used by SCDHB did not acknowledge New Zealand diversity.
D’Souza said palliative care can begin as soon as someone is diagnosed with a life-limiting condition.
‘‘We will see our patients wherever they reside in the South Canterbury region, be it at home, in an aged residential care home, Timaru Hospital or the hospice.’’