Palliative Care Services Across New Zealand
Palliative Care Services Across New Zealand
Life-limiting illnesses are a difficult and emotional experience for patients and whānau. Palliative care services can help to alleviate some of the burden, promote dignity and quality of life, and support all affected through a tough time.
HealthCare New Zealand provides palliative care at home throughout New Zealand, offering comfort and compassion in familiar surroundings. Our team of professional carers and specialists are trained to make life-limiting illnesses or the end-of-life period as smooth and stress free as possible for patients and families alike.
We’re with you every step of the way! Get in touch with us to ask any questions about palliative care and take the first steps toward setting up services.
What is palliative care?
Palliative care is specialised care for those with life-limiting or terminal illnesses, focused on managing symptoms to provide patients with comfort, dignity, and mental, emotional, and social wellbeing.
Although palliative care is often provided during the last days, weeks, or months of life, it is not limited to end-of-life care. This type of care is defined by its focus on quality of life, but it can be provided in conjunction with curative treatment. It can begin at any stage of an illness, with the intention of minimising symptoms, pain, and adverse effects on enjoyment of life.
Palliative end-of-life care is often offered as a patient reaches the final stages of a disease, allowing them dignity and comfort. With a variety of services and medications, palliative carers can ease symptoms such as pain, breathlessness, fatigue, and anxiety. This allows patients to spend time with whānau or doing things they enjoy.
What is end of life care?
End of life care is specialised support provided to patients during the final phase of life, in the later stages of a terminal illness. Rather than being focused on treating the disease, it is focused on minimising symptoms and providing emotional and practical support to the patient and their whānau.
The end of life care and nursing that HealthCare NZ provides could include a range of services: monitoring symptoms, administering medication, adjusting comfort measures, providing supervision and companionship, and co-ordinating with doctors and medical professionals. Each person will have different needs, and our palliative care services are flexible and responsive. Our carers are a steady, knowledgeable, and compassionate presence that can provide support to patients and families alike during a difficult time.
The end-of-life period is made easier with quality care. The HealthCare NZ team can contribute to a calm, supportive environment with space for family and friends to come, connect, and be involved.
Why many families choose palliative care at home
Many New Zealanders prefer to receive care in their own homes, surrounded by loved ones and cherished memories. Home-based palliative care allows individuals to:
- Maintain independence and comfort
- Continue living in comfortable, familiar surroundings
- Receive personalised, professional support
- Spend meaningful time with whānau
- Avoid unnecessary hospital visits
Receiving palliative care at home is a popular option for New Zealanders with life-limiting conditions or terminal illnesses. Remaining in familiar surroundings is a comfort for many patients, boosting their mental and emotional wellbeing in what can be a very hard time. It also allows loved ones to stay close, with no restrictions on visiting hours or activities. End of life care at home allows room for cultural practices and family traditions to take place while the patient still receives comfort measures.
With registered nurses, qualified carers, and a strong focus on clear, collaborative communication, HealthCare NZ can deliver quality palliative care at home. Our structured but flexible care plans ensure that whānau and friends know what to expect and when. We can administer medication and provide equipment that helps patients and their families to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions when home is the preferred place to be.
What our palliative care services include
We understand that every individual’s journey and needs are unique. That’s there’s a range of end of life care options available to suit different needs and preferences:
Our team members can help patients and whānau to manage symptoms and pain as they arise and fluctuate.
Giving primary caregivers a well-earned break
Assistance during the night for comfort and safety. We also provide continuous support for those with complex needs
Our carers can offer companionship, advice, and general guidance with both the emotional and bureaucratic aspects of the palliative process.
Quality care is a team effort! The HealthCare NZ team can work with GPs, specialists, therapists, and other health professionals to facilitate wraparound holistic care. This might mean administering medication schedules prescribed by a trusted doctor, coordinating schedules for any necessary clinic visits, facilitating therapy or mental health care for the patient or whānau, or just taking care of logistics between the hospital and at-home care team so that no-one else has to worry about the details.
The needs and goals of a palliative patient tend to change often. We understand this, and provide flexible, adaptable care accordingly. Get in touch now to find out more!
Who provides the care?
Our palliative care team includes:
Registered nurses with expertise in symptom management
Support workers trained in personal and emotional care
Allied health professionals (e.g. physiotherapists, dietitians, occupational therapists)
Social workers and grief counsellors
Providing comprehensive and culturally relevant palliative care is important to us. Our team members working in this space are trained and experienced to offer families support that honours their unique backgrounds, practices, and wishes.
Our network of carers and medical professionals and multidisciplinary collaboration means we can provide real, respectful, and holistic palliative care services.
Getting started
If you or your loved one need the wraparound support which comes with compassionate, expert palliative care, talk to your health professional or hospital team about getting a referral to HealthCare NZ or our partners Private Care NZ.
For answers to any other questions you might have about HealthCare NZ palliative care services, reach out to our team and we’ll be happy to help you and your family access the kind of care which makes a real difference.
Funding and referrals for palliative care
Palliative care services are funded in New Zealand, so that all patients can receive quality care when experiencing a life-limiting or terminal illness. GPs and hospitals can refer a patient for palliative care, or the Healthcare NZ team can help you to navigate the process to get services in place.
As well as funded palliative care, there are private options available through PrivateCare NZ for families who wish to arrange additional services and support.
Need to arrange palliative care, or just looking to find out more about the process? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our experienced team! We’re here to help, every step of the way. Reach out today to speak to someone who can help, or ask your doctor for a referral.
Contact HealthCare NZ for palliative care support
Palliative care at home and end of life care at home help patients and their whānau to weather a tough time with comfort, dignity, and emotional wellbeing. The HealthCare NZ team offers professional culturally responsive nursing and support that’s flexible and tailored to individual needs.
Our team is here to help, every step of the way. Ask your doctor or hospital team about a referral or reach out today for more information. You can call us on 0800 002 722, email [email protected], or head to our contact page to fill out a form.
Frequently asked questions about palliative care
What is palliative care?
Palliative care is care provided to people with life-limiting or terminal illnesses. Although it often aligns with end-of-life care, palliative care is not solely for those actively dying; it can be offered in conjunction with conventional and curative treatments. What defines palliative care is the intention behind it: to offer patients comfort and quality of life through symptom management, practical help, and emotional support.
When does palliative care begin?
Palliative care can begin at any stage of an illness, and can exist alongside conventional and curative medical care. If you’re not sure whether palliative care is appropriate for yourself or a loved one, get in touch with our team.
What is end of life care?
End of life care is palliative care specifically for those in the final stages of a terminal illness, supporting patients to spend this time with dignity and minimal discomfort.
Can palliative care be provided at home?
Absolutely. The aim of palliative care is to make someone comfortable—for many patients, being at home surrounded by whānau is crucial to this.
Who provides end of life care nursing?
If you choose HealthCare NZ as your end of life care provider, it will be our team of specialist nurses and carers.
Is palliative care only for cancer patients?
No, palliative care is for anyone with a life-limiting or terminal illness of any kind. It can be provided in conjunction with traditional treatment, to offer patients comfort and symptom management and improve their quality of life.
How do I arrange palliative care services?
Palliative care generally begins with a referral from a GP or hospital. You can contact HealthCare NZ directly to begin the process; our team will walk you through requirements and paperwork to make everything as stress free as possible.