More Patients Stretch Hospice Services

September 25, 2013

More Patients Stretch Hospice Services

A massive fundraising effort from Hospice Waikato has helped staff meet an increasing demand for Hospice services.

But the organisation is concerned it can only continue its work if it has the continuing support of the wider Waikato community.

In its 2012-2013 annual report the charitable trust revealed that while referrals to its services had gone up, income from grants had gone down.  Chief executive Craig Tamblyn said the drop in grant income was a “tough reality” that Hospice and all other not-for-profits must  grapple with.

“What makes it perhaps tougher for us is that we cover a huge region – the second largest covered by any Hospice in New Zealand.  Plus the demand for our services is going up and will continue to do so.”

In the 2012-2013 year, referrals to Hospice Waikato went up by 28 per cent.  In total, nearly 900 people  received care, either at home, in the community or at the Hospice Waikato in-patient unit in Hamilton. 

Those referrals covered people with a range of life-limiting illnesses – not just cancer – and included children and young people.

Mr Tamblyn said, despite the increase in demand, income from grants went down by $177,000 during the last financial year. 

“It’s a double-whammy.  Hospice needs to fundraise around $2 million each year to provide the same level of service but the fiscal environment for charities is very tight.”

“With a lot of hard work from a lot of people, and some strong partnerships, our donations and fundraising revenues have gone up. But it’s a real struggle and fundraising is something we have no choice but to continue focussing on.”

Mr Tamblyn said despite the financial struggle, Hospice Waikato enjoyed incredible support from dedicated volunteers.  Anybody could help Hospice by volunteering or donating, he said.

“Last year our volunteers contributed more than than 40,000 hours of work.  Financially, their contribution was estimated to be worth in excess of $700,000 to us and to our patients. That’s phenomenal.”

He said the Hospice Waikato facilities belonged to “everyone” and that everyone in a wider region had a stake in the organisation.  

Hospice Waikato will hold its annual meeting this Thursday [September 26].

ENDS

© Scoop Media