Frequently asked Questions and Answers
Q What geographic area does the Hospice cover?
A The Overstrand municipal area with a population of over 100 000 people and stretching along a 150km coastal belt from Rooi Els to Pearly Beach. Hermanus is the hub and is approximately 150 kms east of Cape Town.
Q What is the range of services you offer?
A Services range from the medical aspects of patient symptom control to psychological, spiritual and social counselling and companioning for both patient and family.
Q Does the Hospice only care for patients with cancer?
A No. We have developed an infrastructure primarily for the holistic care of terminally ill cancer patients, but also accept patients suffering from progressive neurological diseases in an advanced stage, as well as those with end stage organ disease.
Q Who qualifies for hospice assistance?
A Patients are referred by their doctor and all persons so referred qualify - there are no restrictions on race, creed or economic circumstances.
Q Where is the Hospice and how many beds do you have?
A We provide a home based palliative care service. A self-funded 24 hour In-Patient Unit is prohibitively expensive. Experience shows that most terminally ill patients prefer to be cared for in their own home.
Q How many patients do you care for?
A From when we started in January 2007 until December 2011 we have cared for over 340 patients and their families and have made over 6200 home visits. On average we now have approximately 45 to 60 patients and their families being cared for at any one time.
Q What does it cost to have assistance from Hospice?
A All Hospice services are free.
Q How is the Overstrand Hospice financed?
A We are fully self-funding. The current cost to Hospice is approximately R11000 per new patient. Income must come from our Shop and the 600 Club, through bequests, grants from Trust and Corporate funds, donations and local events such as concerts, bridge drives etc.
Q How is the Overstrand Hospice run?
A It is a Section 21 company with a Board of Directors who are all volunteers. Salaried staff are the Professional Nursing Sisters, a General Manager, the Administrative Secretary and the Shop Manager.
They are assisted by part time staff and consultants and supported by a committed band of volunteer workers.
Q What relationship exists between the Hospice and other care organisations in the Overstrand?
A We each have our special niche in the community and liaise closely to ensure there is no wastage and overlap of resources.
