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After previously having to see some patients in their cars, Harbour Hospice’s Tui House is proving a hit for staff one year after its construction.
Fundraising for the building began in 2014 and the $7.5 million facility was opened last November.
Fundraising coordinator Lesley Ingham says after having a space that wasn’t even adequate for seeing individual patients, the new space is a blessing.
“It’s hugely improved the efficiency of what we do because a nurse can now see four patients at one time here, rather than having to visit each household one by one,” she says.
The extra space also means that group services can be run at the facility.
Day group and community volunteer Pauline Louette says holding chat sessions, music and arts groups is allowing them to change the image of hospice for the better.
“A lot of people still think hospice is somewhere you come to die, but by running these sessions patients and carers can come and enjoy themselves,” Pauline says.
Community groups and businesses are also utilising the space, and their fees go towards covering Tui House’s $1 million annual operational expenses.
Lesley says not only is the facility streamlining what hospice offers, but is also amalgamating the three hospice brands in the Harbour region.
“We’ve got a new clinical administrator taking away the paper work from our nurses so they can focus on working with their patients.
“It also gives us more opportunities to share ideas and raise funds because there are bigger corporates on the North Shore that we can pull from now.”
Pauline says while things are going well, there is still room for improvement in the areas of home visits and bereavement services.
“We’re looking to get some funding for fuel because it’s really important our volunteers cover our whole region to places such as Tauhoa and Te Arai and they take on those costs personally.”
Lesley is also hoping more people attend the sessions on offer over time.
“The new facility is very inviting. We’ve got new people walking through the door regularly, but there is still room for more.
“We’re not operating at full capacity, but we built this facility with the future in mind so there is going to be space.”
