Palliative Care is an approach that aims to improve the quality of life of patients facing problems associated with coping with a life-threatening illness. This care is achieved through the prevention and relief of suffering – physical, psychosocial and spiritual – and is provided by an interdisciplinary team of doctors, professional nurses, a social worker, counselors and trained volunteers.

Hospice specialises in Palliative Care for patients with a life-threatening disease i.e.:

• Cancer
• End-stage HIV/Aids
• End-stage organ failure
• End-stage emphysema and MND

Patients who meet the hospice admission criteria can be referred to hospice by a family member, friend, hospital, clinic, or medical practitioner. A patient referral form must be completed by the attending doctor. Our professional registered nursing sister will conduct a detailed, holistic palliative care assessment with the patient at home, in hospital or at the frail care facility.

Our services are offered free of charge to patients and their families, irrespective of their ability to pay. Overstrand Hospice recently obtained a practice number that enables us to approach the medical scheme for payment, should the patient belong to a medical scheme. If a patient is able to contribute towards this, it is accepted with much gratitude. Every contribution enables us to offer care to patients in need.

Overstrand Hospice provides a home-based palliative care service. Statistics show that most terminally ill patients prefer to be cared for in their own homes. If the need arises, hospice can arrange for the patient to be transferred to networking partners for in-patient care.

Hospice does not provide medication. Patients need to provide their own medication from their referring doctor. Medical equipment such as urinals, bedpans, special mattresses and wheelchairs donated to us are available on loan when available.

Overstrand Hospice is a fully self-funding, non-profit organisation. We are totally reliant on the generosity of donors, income derived from our charity shop, 600Club, bequests, grants from Trust and Corporate funds, and local fundraising events. The average cost of care per patient is approximately R20 000 for Hospice.