Hospice East Rand restructures

Hospice East Rand will no longer offer its in-patient care services after this month.

Laura Kirsten, of Hospice East Rand.

According to the general manager of the centre, Brenda Bisschoff, there has been an increase in demand for home-based care, coupled with a decline in admission to its in-patient unit.

“Hospice is responding to community needs,” said Bisschoff.

The organisation provides services in areas such as Benoni, Boksburg, Brakpan, Springs, Nigel, Heidelberg, Kempton Park, Germiston, Edenvale and Bedfordview.

“Each town has its own dedicated nursing staff to ensure hands-on caring within these communities,” said Bisschoff.

“The Hospice Home Visit teams have a medical doctor, nursing sister, social worker and specially trained care workers available who can offer 24-hour care to patients in the comfort of their home environment.”

Hospice also offers a daycare programme in Benoni once a week, and twice a week in Vosloorus, for patients well enough to attend.

“Our care extends into the bereavement period through counselling and emotional support services,” said Bisschoff.

The manager wants to debunk the following misconceptions about Hospice:

• Hospice is a “place”. It is rather an offering of specialised care for those facing a life-limiting illness, their families and their carers.

• Hospice is where patients go to die.

• Hospice care is for people with a life-limiting illness who have a few weeks or days to live. “We offer support and care for a patient right from the time of diagnosis, and we recommend you contact Hospice for support sooner rather than later,” said Bisschoff.

• The facility only services Benoni. In fact, it covers the entire region of Ekurhuleni.

• Cancer patients are the beneficiaries of the care. Hospice home-based care is available for people suffering from a variety of potentially life-limiting illnesses.

The East Rand Hospice premises, situated at 218 Kemston Avenue, will not be sold.

For more information and to find out how you can support them, contact 011 422 1531 (mornings only).