We have been providing holistic palliative care and support to the greater Knysna Sedgefield Community to person with progressive, incurable or chronic debilitating illnesses since 1986. Hospice provides care and support on an average to 312 patients per month.
Our patients are categorized into 3: Category 1: not so sick, Category 2: Chronic Illnesses, and Category 3: Terminally ill patients. Our clinical staff on an average makes a total of 6,637 visits per month to patients and families.
As this is our first blog we would like to share with you some of the happy and the not-so-happy moments we had in 2015.
Happy moments:
- The collaboration with Knysna Provincial Hospital in establishing a Hospital Palliative care team.
This achievement led to a more structured system meeting the palliative care needs of patients and their families. The ideal toward which we strive is that there will be a seamless transition from hospital to home and from home to hospital, with excellent symptom control and support for the patient and family - A new patient carrier.
December 2014 our 15 seater patient carrier was stolen from our locked yard. This created a challenge transporting patients to daycare, and staff for training. Late 2015, a very generous donor made it possible for us to purchase a new Nissan 16 seater patient carrier that was delivered early January 2016. - Exciting new fundraising events.
- Ladies Hillclimb team:
A new vision born by Francis Cussins promising to grow into something bigger. We had Di Dugmore in her red Austin Healy racing to raise funds for Hospice and 2016 is looking great with the prospect of having another driver raising funds for Hospice. - Hospice Pedal with Purpose
What a wonderful opportunity to test fitness, making others aware of Hospice and raising funds. Dr Janet Stanford was joined by other cyclers. - Hospice was privilege to be one of the chosen charities to be part of this first Sanlam Private Golf day 2015.
- Ladies Hillclimb team:
- Our Hospice shops (Knysna and Sedgefield)
Other great things are:
- National Department of Health (NDoH) contract that provided extra income to 10 of the community care workers.
- More training was conducted due to extra funding received.
- Our staff enjoyed the special treat sponsored by Knysna Vineyard Church.
Not-so- happy moments:
- As Hospice medical staff we see suffering, death and grieving families everyday, but the death of a child leaves emptiness not just with the family but also with our medical staff and community workers. It feels completely unnatural for a child to leave this world before they have come of age.
- Saying goodbye to loyal and hardworking employees is never easy and always leaves a weakness in the team. Leonie van Jaarsveldt has been with Hospice for 10 years corporate fundraiser, Sister Darda de Beer nursing sister and Ashleigh Smith Receptionist / Secretary, we wish them all the best for the future.
As a Hospice we quote: “You matter because you are you, and you matter to the end of your life. We will do all we can not only to help you die peacefully, but also to live until you die.” — Dame Cicely Saunders, nurse, physician and writer, and founder of hospice movement (1918 – 2005).