Hospice palliative care is a special type of care for people whose illness is no longer responsive to curative treatment. It enables them to achieve the best possible quality of life during the final stages of their illness. It includes family support and bereavement services.

Hospice palliative care can be provided in hospice inpatient units, hospital hospice wards or in a person’s home or place of residence in the community. Hospice is a concept, a philosophy of care.

Hospices are for all terminally ill people in need, irrespective of their religion, race, age or ability to pay. Most patients have cancer, but patients with other terminal illnesses also receive care (e.g motor neurone disease, MS, organ failure).

Do you have to pay for hospice palliative care?
No, hospice palliative care is free of charge to patients and their families. The cost of care is covered by a contribution from Government through the Ministry of Health. The rest is raised from the community through fundraising activities.

Marlborough Community Hospice Philosophy

• To support and empower the patient and family to participate in their care and decisions regarding their care
• To assist patients to make the most of life and to ensure that patients die comfortably, with dignity and in the place of their choice.
• To provide support and care for the family and close friends during the patient’s illness and in bereavement.