Palliative Care

Hospice Tairāwhiti provides community-based hospice care for the palliative people of Tairāwhiti, from Morere to Potaka. Hospice Tairāwhiti is specialised care for people with life-limiting illnesses. The focus is on improving quality of life for the patient and providing support for the whānau. They do this by providing practical advice, physical, emotional and spiritual support, with an emphasis on pain relief and symptom management. The service includes whānau support and grief and bereavement care. The majority of their patients are cared for in their own homes. They also provide support to patients in aged care and hospital.

Hospital beds- there are two designated beds at Gisborne Hospital if circumstances mean it is no longer possible or appropriate to care for a person at home.

Aged care facilities- provide palliative care for their residents as well as receive referrals from hospital/hospice if the person has less than 4 weeks (estimated) to live.

General practice (GPs) - provide palliative services for their patients. Not all palliative patients are referred to the Hospice Tairāwhiti as many General Practitioners are very experienced in providing care for palliative patients.

  • District Nursing Team - provides hands-on care for patients (e.g. bowel care, oxygen, syringe driver management, catheterisation,) to complement the care coordination role provided by the Hospice Tairāwhiti service. The District Nursing Service directly employs caregivers who provide home-based support services for palliative patients when they are discharged from the hospital. This is generally for a period of up to six weeks, but in the interests of continuity for patients, will continue for an extended period if required.
  • Needs Assessment Service Co-ordination (NASC) service - is responsible for putting in place appropriate packages of care for patients who remain at home, and approving Aged Residential Care Facility entry. These supports can include home-based support and personal cares.
  • Ngāti Porou Hauora - palliative care nursing services are provided by Ngāti Porou Health (NPH). Nursing services are delivered by the experienced rural nurses and Practice Nurses attached to each of the clinics. Rural nurses provide a visiting service to the palliative patients on the East Coast and will visit dying patients after hours as required. Te Puia Springs Hospital may be used for palliative respite. The acute beds are able to be used for admission for patients who need symptom management.
  • Turanga Health - palliative care services are provided by the nursing and kaiawhina services of Turanga Health

To be referred to any of the above services you need to be referred by your GP or a Gisborne Hospital Doctor.


Often specialist equipment is required to assist with symptom control and comfort and to help families manage patients at home. Hospice Tairāwhiti have a variety of equipment available to loan free of charge to their patients. These items include:

  • Syringe drivers
  • Oxygen concentrators
  • Pressure care mattresses and cushions
  • Lazyboy chairs
  • Electric beds
  • Wheelchairs
  • Commodes

Patients are referred Hospice Tairāwhiti when they have reached a palliative stage in their illness; the focus is on symptom control, comfort and quality of life rather than cure.


How to get in touch:

Internet: https://www.hospicetairawhiti.org.nz/

Hospice Tairāwhiti
Private Bag 7001
GISBORNE 4040
Phone: 06 8690552
Fax: 06 8690566
Email: admin@hospicetairawhiti.org.nz

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