Happy New Year to everyone and a special thank you to our supporters. I know as the economy tightens and everyone is looking at their cashflow we are also having to do this. 

Our demand has increased over this last year and alongside this goes increased costs, so if you can spare some cash we would really appreciate it. Two easy ways are online through our website (hospicesouthland.org.nz/pages/donation/) or our page at Givealittle (givealittle.co.nz/donate/org/hospicesth). Both give tax receipts which is useful to get a little back from the government. 

We have a great team at Hospice Southland. Our clinical team is busy; we have gone from an average of two to three patients in the Inpatient Unit to four to five, and sometimes we are full at six. Palliative patients who need to come into the hospice are not always those just about to die. About half come in for symptom management and after three or four days our great clinical team can stabilise them so they can go back home. 

Our Patient and Family Support team are also on hand to help with grief and loss and, while some people say they never need this, most find these counselling and social work services very helpful and are glad they took up the offer. 

While the government funds us about 40% of what we need we are reliant on the community to provide the other 60%. If you haven’t written your will yet, please consider leaving something to Hospice Southland. Some people stipulate a dollar amount while others choose a percentage of their estate. It really helps us maintain hospice services for all in our region – Southland and the Wakatipu Basin – free of charge. 

Thanks once again for all your support. 

Flora Gilkison, CEO

Hospice Southland