HospiceWits Houghton In-Patient Unit receives a much-needed face lift

HospiceWits was proud to unveil their recently refurbished in-patient unit in Houghton on 22 August.

Space has been given a classy touch thanks to a four-member unit partner community consisting of Hayley Ellin, Farrell Berson, Saul Haberer, and interior designer Lynne Blumberg.

HospiceWits marketing manager Leandi Streeter said, “Before, it was sufficient, but now it is a beacon of light and represents world-class care for patients. It breaks us out of the misconception that hospice is the gloomy place to go before you die. This new facility brings dignity and hopes to the patients on their journey.”

Project ambassador Ellin was the visionary who sought to bring change to the facility where her late husband had received excellent care for three and a half years.

“I was in awe of hospice because of the love and care they offered to me and my late husband. They are not all about dying and the end. The in-patient unit was dilapidated and old and not a nice place to walk into when you were going through suffering. I had the vision to get it refurbished to become a home away from home,” said Ellin.

The in-patient unit provides specialized palliative care services when care and pain management is no longer possible at home due to the patient’s condition. The facility provides holistic care (physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual support) for patients and their families facing problems associated with a life-threatening illness.

Thanks to generous donations from the community and businesses, the NPO was able to receive a serious makeover. Streeter emphasised the fact that HospiceWits in Houghton relied on support from the community to continue offering services to 5 600 patients and their families through home-care, psychosocial and in-patient programmes.

The Houghton In-Patient Unit provides eight short-stay rooms and two long-stay rooms for patients with additional beds for their family members.

Streeter said, “The new facility brings to life the work that we do.”

HospiceWits CEO Jacqui Kaye said, “We wish to express our gratitude to this special community of partners for enabling us to continue our commitment to patients and their families, ensuring the quality of life through top-class multi-disciplinary holistic care.”

If you are able to contribute your time or finances to HospiceWits, contact Leandi on 011 483 9156 or email info@hospicewits.co.za

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