Collaborative Care is for people with palliative care needs who live in rural areas of Waikato. It is an Inter-disciplinary model of palliative care providing specialised nursing in collaboration with District Nurses, General Practitioners and other health providers.
One Hospice nurse is assigned to work collaboratively with the District Nurse, General Practitioner and other health providers to provide care and support to the patient and family/whanau.
What is palliative care?
It is the care of the people who have reached a stage in their illness when they cannot be cured and they are dying.
Palliative Care services are aimed at improving the quality of life for the person and their family/whanau.
What does collaborative care include?
This care includes:
- Liaising with District Nurses to plan and co-ordinate care
- Providing ongoing emotional support for patients and families
- Allowing adequate time for patients and families’ needs
- Offering education for patients and families around their issues
- Communication and planning with other health professionals
Please click here for the referral form.
Working Hours
Collaborative Care nurses and District Nurses can be contacted between 8am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. You should discuss with your GP and district nurse what to do if you have an emergency during the night.
It is about…
relieving suffering,
controlling symptoms,
sharing problems,
giving support.
Emotional Support
During illness
Coming to terms with serious illness and dying can be difficult and distressing for all concerned. When someone is seriously ill, everyone around him or her is affected. The patient and family/whanau may deal with a whole host of emotions, from anger to helplessness, feeling frightened or depressed.
Through our nursing, counselling and bereavement support services, Hospice Waikato provides patients, families/whanau with an opportunity to identify and deal with all aspects relating to the emotional, mental and spiritual impact of terminal illness.
How is this provided?
Family Support Volunteers in the Collaborative Care region have been carefully selected and trained by Hospice to work in this particular area of care.
The Life Review service is available to Collaborative Care patients.
Bereavement Follow Up
We have a range of Counselling services that are available for Collaborative Care patients and family / whanau during the patient’s illness and family bereavement. Depending on the need, services may be provided locally, from our Hamilton office or on referral to other local agencies.