Hospice affirms life.  Hospice is the holistic care of people who have reached a stage in their illness where the focus of treatment is on comfort and quality of life.

Hospice recognises dying as a normal process and neither hastens nor postpones death.  Hospice integrates the physical, social, emotional and spiritual aspects of care that support the dying person and their family and carers.

Hospice recognises grief as a normal response to loss and offers support to family and carers during the person’s illness and their bereavement.

Who is the service for?

Nelson Tasman Hospice services are for those with any advanced, progressive and life-limiting illness, regardless of ethnicity, age, culture or gender.

How can this service be accessed?

Health professionals may refer patients when the complexity of the illness is such that specialist assistance is needed to achieve control of symptoms and provide social, psychological and spiritual support to the patient and family. People may also self-refer, though we would request permission to confirm diagnosis with their General Practitioner or Specialist.

Do you have to pay for Hospice Care?

Nelson Tasman Hospice services are provided at no charge to patients and their families.

There are occasional charges for certain medicines that are not funded, and we do not meet the cost of ambulance transfer from other facilities but will meet the cost from the Hospice Inpatient Unit to home, Aged Care Facility or Hospital (within the Nelson Tasman region).