Services join forces for terminally ill patients | Wairarapa News | Local News in Wairarapa

Kahukura, Wairarapa's palliative care service, is on the move.

The DHB-funded service is moving from Lincoln Rd and is joining the Hospice Wairarapa Community Trust in Renall St, Masterton.

Kieran McCann, general manager clinical services, said Te Kowhai, the Renall St base for Hospice Wairarapa, from next week would house Kahukura's palliative community and specialist nurses, who care for terminally ill patients and their families in their homes.

Together with GPs and allied health professionals such as social workers and occupational therapists they provide a 24-hour service throughout the district ensuring clinical care and support is maintained until the end of life, he said.

Bereavement support services would also be offered.

Te Omanga Hospice specialist doctors would continue with weekly clinics for patients either at Te Kowhai or in the patients' homes. Te Kowhai does not offer in-patient accommodation.

Mr McCann said Kahukura staff were very pleased about the move. "We will combine with the hospice as one team providing holistic palliative care for the whole community. There are economies of scale having one base and it should resolve any confusion the public might have. For patients, families, friends and staff it will be a one-stop shop.

"We will be able to use the skills of the hospice volunteers and it will be more spacious. We'll have a huge living room for training and a sitting room for patients and family. This is a really positive move and everyone sees the advantages," Mr McCann said.

Lloyd Wilson, Hospice Wairarapa Community Trust chairman, said, "It will make the patient referral process easier and enable more communication between both parties. Those factors will greatly enhance our common goal to deliver the best possible palliative care services to the people of Wairarapa."

The Hospice Wairarapa team will complement the Kahukura service with volunteers offering support services such as equipment, biographies and practical support for patients and families in their homes, plus non-residential patient/family support programmes at Te Kowhai.

Tracey Adamson, Wairarapa District health Board chief executive said, "This is a new era for palliative care in Wairarapa. It is a great move." An official welcome to Kahukura will be held at 10am on September 6, at Te Kowhai.