From the Clinical Director's Desk
2008 has to have been THE year of change and new challenges - especially as it has unfolded in its final months!
Our whole world order has been shaken by the global financial crisis and we are in the midst of political challenge and change, both internationally as well as local.
At Hospice South Auckland we have had our own change of guard at the helm, with the retirement of Elaine Dow and the arrival of Gary Sturgess and Yvonne Wright. As part of the restructuring, the Hospice has been going through a valuable Strategic Planning exercise, which is nearing completion.
A component of the strategic planning is to look at our model of care and define more closely our goals for where we would like to see ourselves in five years time. The rather unsettled and changeable environment we find ourselves in is adding to the complexity of this forward-looking plan. It has become noticeable that the healthcare environment is also changing, particularly with the advent of new cancer therapies. This has resulted in more intensive and prolonged active cancer treatment, with patients being referred to us later than before, and with more advanced illness. The challenge for the community team has been to address all the needs of the patients and their families within a shorter time frame. Sadly, some patients have passed away prior to us even being able to get to do the first visit. The in-patient unit has also had to meet the challenge of sicker patients with more complex symptoms, needing longer bed stays.
The number of patients being referred to the hospice with end-stage chronic illnesses involving respiratory, heart and kidney failure is also constantly increasing. All of this is likely to further increase the pressure on the in-patient bed availability.
We are continuing to give of our best for our patients and their families. I feel that hospice has a lot to be proud of. In the end it is all about our community; us, the healthy and fortunate, supporting those in poor health and in need, in the best way we know.
My heartfelt thanks to the hospice team for their great efforts during the past year.
Dr Willem Landman
Medical Director
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