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Gisborne Palliative Care Service

Gisborne Palliative Care Service

What is the Gisborne Palliative Care Service?

The Gisborne Pain & Terminal Care Trust, working as Gisborne Palliative Care Service is a Charitable Trust founded in 1981, to meet the needs of the terminally ill and their families in the Gisborne/East Coast region.  We are independent of any other organisation and administered by a voluntary Board of Trustees.

Our prime function is to meet the needs of the terminally ill and their families in the Gisborne/East Coast region.  We act as a resource facility, working with existing services in a complementary way, providing additional support within the home and hospital setting.

Gisborne Palliative Care Service is a member of Hospice New Zealand and fulfils the criteria of the hospice philosophy.

PALLIATIVE CARE - WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

To palliate means to ease the symptoms of an illness where the illness itself cannot be cured.  In the majority of cases this has applied to cancer, but the philosophy is also applicable to other diseases. 

The Hospice philosophy affirms life.  Hospice recognises dying as a normal process and neither hastens nor prolongs death.

If a person is in the stage where a cure is no longer possible there is never "nothing more that can be done".  There is indeed a great deal that can be done in order to improve a patient's comfort and quality of life.

WHAT ARE THE NEEDS OF THE TERMINALLY ILL?

* Physical - The control of physical symptoms may be many and diverse in nature.  Pain should not be a major problem in terminal disease as this can be adequately controlled in most cases.
Strong analgesics, e.g. morphine are used when indicated.  They do not shorten life but are used to produce comfort.
Other symptoms may prove more difficult to control.  Every attempt will be made to minimize such symptoms.

* Emotional and Mental - Emotions such as anxiety, depression, fear may be present.  Many symptoms may result from unresolved events in the past.  Such events can significantly hinder the patient or family in coping with the stress of a terminal illness.
Drug therapy may not be indicated.  Many of these symptoms can be helped by open, honest communication and counselling

* Social and Domestic - Patients and families often experience loneliness while coping with a terminal diagnosis.  The team can offer people to visit and support patients and families.  We are also able to provide assistance and information on community resources.

* Spiritual Needs - For many spiritual care and support may be sought.  These may become increasingly important to people as the illness progresses.  Our Chaplain is available and liases with local clergy if needed.

SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR PATIENTS IN RURAL AREAS

Due to funding and time constraints we can not offer home visits to patients in outlying areas.  In these cases the patient's GP and Public Health Nurse will liaise with us regarding the patient's condition and needs.  Consultation is available at our clinic by appointment.

Your area may have special arrangements with the hospital for after hours calls. 

Regular telephone contact and support is available. 

Due to transport difficulties, some of our specialised equipment is not able to be loaned to patients in outlying areas. 

WHAT ARE THE AIMS OF THE GISBORNE PALLIATIVE CARE SERVICE?

 1.     To apply the concept of total care and to meet the needs of the terminally ill as far as possible, striving for a higher quality of life.

 2.     To enable the patient to die in comfort with dignity, in his/her place of choice.

 3.     To offer support to the family of the patient, prior to, and after death

 4.     To allow the patient and family choices in physical, mental, social and spiritual aspects, and to support these choices.

WHO IS THIS SERVICE FOR?

 People who have reached a palliative stage in their illness where the focus of treatment is on comfort and quality of life rather than cure.

HOW CAN THIS SERVICE BE ACCESSED?

Referral to this service is from a General Practitioner or Consultant and can be sought when it is realised that cure is no longer possible.  The primary care physician in the home remains the General Practitioner, with the Palliative Care Service functioning in a supportive role.  Early referral enables a supportive relationship to be established between the members of the team and the patient and his/her family

WHAT WE PROVIDE

The Palliative Care Team consists of a group of selected and trained people, working together as a Team to meet the needs of the terminally ill.

The Service functions as a resource facility and works with existing services in a complementary way to provide the support and expertise that is required.

Medical Care - The function of the Palliative Care Doctors is to provide their medical expertise in order to enable to best possible symptom control.  We work in close co-operation with the General Practitioners and Consultants involved in the patient's medical care.  In the home situation the General Practitioner remains the primary care physician with the Palliative Care Service functioning in a supportive role.

Nursing - Our Palliative Care nurses likewise function in a complementary and supplementary role to existing nursing services.   A vital function is monitoring symptom control, as well as providing direction for events that may occur and needs that may arise.

Team Meetings - meetings are held weekly to discuss patient management.  The function is to ascertain the best management options for each patient/family.  This information is treated confidentially and is subject to the Privacy Act 1994.

Volunteer Support - our team of Volunteers provide a variety of services including patient and family support, and transportation.  If volunteer support is required, the Volunteer Co-ordinator will visit and explain how the Volunteer Service can assist.

Spiritual - support in this area is available from our Chaplain.  She works in close liaison with existing church affiliations.

Bereavement and Grief Care - support is available in this area and may include

Equipment Loan -  specialist equipment is available to assist in with the management of the patient in the home.  All equipment is purchased from community donations and is provided free of charge, however should any damage occur while on loan, the family may be charged for the necessary repairs.

Education

Memory Boxes -  Staff and Volunteers are available to assist the patient in the preparation of a memory box.  This can be meaningful for both patient and family.

Biography Service - the Service offers the opportunity to compile a life review - to tell your story.  A trained Volunteer may record your story using a tape recorder, or notes, which are developed into typed, bound, book for and given to the patient.

*   Note - some services are not fully available to Rural Patients.

WHY DO WE NEED A PALLIATIVE CARE SERVICE?