The Wide Horizon Hospice in Vereeniging has recently completed a gargantuan project, the renovation and upgrade of their in-patient unit.
This was made possible with the National Lottery grant Hospice received. The grant was allocated to Hospice because of the huge need for palliative care to terminally ill patients.
The unit now looks like a 5 star establishment with new beds, curtains, bedding and floors. Everything has been planned in great detail to render the best possible service to patients and to make the unit as clinical and practical as possible. The facelift has given the unit a fresh new look, crisp and clean with lots of natural light streaming in.
Wide Horizon services the whole of the Vaal Triangle, rendering palliative care to patients with a life limiting illness, no matter what their illness might be. The upgrade of the unit also means that they are able to provide care for Chronic patients or patients that need some respite care before they are discharged home.
End of life care is an emotional journey, managing symptoms and pain is of extreme importance, as well as the emotional care of the patient and needs to be administered by trained professionals.
The Hospice philosophy is one of death with dignity.
“Everyone of us has a unique journey, in life and during illness,” says the General Manager of Wide Horizon Hospice, Mrs Gail Heasley.
“We are now ready to receive patients although the service will no longer be provided free of charge, unfortunately due to funding constraints and the lack thereof, our facility will need to charge for care, which in itself is huge shift and new mind set for us. We are in the catch 22 situation whereby we are expected to provide quality care and pay for professional staff which cannot be achieved with limited or very little funding. Patients who enjoy medical insurance can claim from their scheme, most medical aids will pay just as they do when patients are in hospital. Alternatively people can come together as a family to cover the cost of care but in order for this service to survive we have to reassess how it is delivered,” said Heasley.
Hospice was started in 1983, 37 years ago, out of the boot of a car by a dedicated and caring nurse, Sister Edna Davis. She did this because she recognised the dire need for palliative care in society.
It has since survived ups and downs through the years and thanks to dedicated and committed staff often going way beyond the call of duty, it has been able to render services to those most in need.
Photos below by Yvonne Müller
*******************
Report uploaded by R. Fitchat – 6-4-2020
