27 May 2015

$16 million more to support Auckland’s hospices

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says an extra $16 million of funding is being pumped into hospices across greater Auckland over the next four years.

“Hospices make a huge difference to people's lives by ensuring terminally ill people are as free from pain and suffering as possible. They also provide valuable care and support for families and friends,” says Dr Coleman.

“As New Zealand’s population grows and ages, the demand for palliative care continues to increase.

“That’s why in Budget 2015 we allocated $52 million over four years to help hospices around the country expand their community palliative care services.”

Auckland’s three DHBs, Waitemata, Auckland and Counties Manukau, will receive around an extra $4 million a year for four years. The new funding takes effect from 1 July 2015.

The funding will be shared between Mercy Hospice, Franklin Hospice, Hospice South Auckland, Hibiscus Coast Hospice, North Shore Hospice and West Auckland Hospice.

“The extra funding means staff at these hospices are able to better support terminally ill people at home and in aged-care facilities,” says Dr Coleman.

“This funding boost is part of the Government’s commitment to delivering high quality services closer to home.”

In 2013, more than 15,000 people received care and support from hospice services throughout New Zealand, and hospice staff made over 145,000 home visits. Just over 20 per cent of people using hospice services were aged under 60 and three-quarters had a cancer-related disease.

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