Key Messages - Hospice

OCH supports and empowers people who are dying in Otago to live well and die well.

Anyone living with a life-limiting condition, eg heart failure, motor neurone disease, MS or cancer, and who has specialist palliative care needs, can access hospice services.

Most people who are dying will not require hospice specialist palliative care. These people will be provided excellent palliative care by their primary care providers: their GP, District Nurse or with aged care facility staff.

For most of our patients, OCH care and support happens at home. Some patients, whose needs are highly complex, will be admitted to the OCH inpatient unit. (23% of our patients)

Otago Community Hospice has community care teams in South Otago, Central Otago, North Otago and Dunedin.

Hospice Services are free.

Hospice care has a unique whole person approach (covering physical, spiritual, emotional and social needs) delivered by a specialist multidisciplinary team.

Hospice care also wraps around family/whanau, providing ongoing support and education.

As well as caring for patients, Hospice provides significant palliative care education and support to primary care providers (GPs, District Nurses, aged care staff, hospital staff). In 2018, more than 3000 people participated in hospice-provided education.