MEDIA RELEASE
UPPER CLUTHA HOSPICE TRUST BOARD FUNDS ADDITIONAL WANAKA DISTRICT NURSE
The Upper Clutha Hospice Trust is pleased to announce that the Trust is funding Dunstan Hospital to employ an additional Wanaka based District Nurse, whose main focus will be supporting patients with terminal illnesses.
The new Nurse will work closely with the other care providers including the patients’ GPs, and the Otago Community Hospice Coordinators, Palliative Nurse Specialist and Medical Officer.
This is a permanent half-time role, but with flexible hours to enable the provision of care to terminal patients as and when required. The appointee will complement the District Nursing team when not involved in palliative care work
“Our Trust recognizes the growing numbers of patients in the Upper Clutha with terminal illnesses, and the desire of many to stay in their own homes if possible, rather than be admitted to a Palliative Care Suite” notes Russell McGeorge, Chairman of the Upper Clutha Hospice Trust. “Our decision to fund this additional District Nurse was based on this trend in patients’ wishes, and on our desire to add to the resources supporting those with terminal illnesses in the Upper Clutha”
“The Trust’s ability to provide this funding stems from the wonderful support the Trust receives from the Upper Clutha Community both in terms of donations and by the continuing support of the Trust’s Hospice Shops.
Debi Lawry, Director of Nursing at Dunstan Hospital comments that “This commitment by the Upper Clutha Hospice Trust enables the provision of much needed additional community based palliative care resources in the rapidly growing Upper Clutha communities”
An appointment has been made to the new role, and she will take up the role in late July. She will be based out of the District Nurses Offices in the Wanaka Lakes Health Centre, with a car provided by the Trust.
Russell McGeorge
Chairman,
Upper Clutha Hospice Trust Board
03 443 9176 or 021 454 897
mcgeorger@icloud.com
