Hospice Community Care is provided in rural Waikato areas (outside of the Cambridge, Hamilton, Ngaruawahia areas) by our Rural Nursing Team. The Hospice Nurses work very closely with District Nurses and your GP to provide you with care, and may also work with other health providers in your area.
Our Rural Community Nursing Service includes Clinical Nurse Specialists and Registered Nurses, who are supported by a visiting Palliative Medicine Doctor and and our Family Services Team.
Our care in rural areas includes:
• Home visits for specialist palliative care assessment and advice.
• Working with you and your family/whānau to develop an individual plan of care.
• Advice with symptoms management.
• Support and education for you and your family/whānau regarding ongoing care requirements.
• Liaison with district nurses, GPs and other health services to plan and co-ordinate your care.
• Support from a visiting Palliative Medicine Doctor when needed.
• Loan of medical equipment to aid home care as needed.
• Bereavement support groups for family/whānau.
In-home clinical patient care (such as medication administration, syringe driver pumps, wound care, etc) is provided by your local District Nursing service, with support and advice from the Hospice Rural Nursing service.
Palliative care outpatient clinics with a visiting Palliative Medicine Doctor are held at provincial hospitals on a regular basis and appointments can be discussed with your nurse.
Rural Community Nursing Service hours
The Rural Community Nurses work Monday to Friday 8.00am to 4.30pm.
Outside of these hours your GP and District Nurse are usually the best people to contact for care and advice, or in the case of an emergency call 111.
If you are unable to contact your District Nurse or GP, Hospice Waikato provides an after-hours telephone service offering advice and guidance. Please call our main telephone line for this service – 07 859 1260 or 0800 HOSPICE.
After hours your call will be answered by a registered nurse based in our Inpatient Unit.