Short history

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Drakenstein Palliative Hospice was started by a group of volunteers in May 1991 in response to a need for compassionate professional clinical care and support to patients living with a life-threatening illness in the Drakenstein Sub-District.

We employ Palliative Care trained professional nurses and social workers. In 2004 we trained 25 palliative care home based caregivers to expand and support the work. We provide a free care service to approximately 220 patients per month.

Our services are generously funded by our community and various business plans are written. In addition, medical aid programs are increasingly recognising the need for quality palliative care and support in the client's homes which provides some cross-subsidisation for our free service.

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Areas we work in

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We work primarily in the Drakenstein Sub-District, as part of the Cape Winelands.

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Why we do what we do?

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We understand that when you, or a family member, are sick you there are lots of questions around the process which is compounded by:

• Misinformation and fear
• Challenges with loss and grief
• Compromised social and living environment
• Lack of professional skills, knowledge and resources
• Apparent indifference to the ethical and spiritual needs of patients and their families
• Ignorance about patient's specific cultural beliefs & values
• Compromised access to resources and facilities
• Hospitalisation and medical care expenses
• Special challenges around care for children living with a life threatening illness

Our knowleagable, professional staff have extensive experience in working with all of these challenges. We are committed to providing you and your family with the information and resources to navigate this difficult time.

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Free vs paid service

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We provide a free palliative care service to patients and their families who fit in with our admission criteria. This is however a time limited service as we have many patients we look after in a large area. The paid service is for extra home based care not covered by the free service. We appoint home-based carers who are trained and supervised by our interdisciplinary team to provide care in the home. Some medical aids will pay for the service but often patients pay for the care independently. See the paid service conditions on this page.

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Our vision and mission

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Our vision:

Quality in life and dignity in death

Our mission:

To provide, support and be the leaders and specialists in patient-centred palliative care within the Primary Health Care system

Our motto:

Quality in life and dignity in death

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The change we make in our community?

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• Provide access to palliative care.
• Access to active symptom management & medication control.
• Confidence with approach to end-of-life care concerns.
• Provide training and development of palliative care practice.
• Keep both the patient and family peaceful.

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