Get Support
Getting support from Hospice Southland
Hospice Southland provides specialist palliative care and support for people living with life-limiting illness, as well as care for their families and whānau.
Our team works alongside your GP, hospital teams, and other health professionals to help manage symptoms, provide guidance, and support you through this time.
Care may be provided in different ways depending on individual needs – sometimes at home or in the community, and sometimes in our hospice inpatient unit when additional support is required.
Care in our inpatient unit
While most hospice care is provided in people’s homes, sometimes additional support is needed. Hospice Southland has a six-bed inpatient unit where patients can receive specialist care for short periods of time.
Stays are usually focused on helping manage symptoms, providing respite for families, or supporting people during the final stage of life in a calm and supportive environment.
Care in the inpatient unit may include:
+ Assessment and management of complex symptoms
+ Short-term admissions to stabilise health and comfort
+ Specialist respite care to support families and carers
+ End-of-life care in a peaceful, supportive setting
+ Guidance and support for families and whānau during a stay
Support at home and in the community
Many people prefer to remain in familiar surroundings for as long as possible. Hospice Southland’s community palliative care team supports patients in their homes, in aged residential care, or in other community settings.
The hospice team works alongside your GP and other health professionals already involved in your care, helping ensure support is coordinated and responsive to changing needs.
What support at home may include:
+ Specialist nursing visits and symptom management
+ Advice and guidance for patients, families and carers
+ Coordination with GPs, hospitals and other services
+ Emotional and practical support during illness
+ Planning ahead as care needs change
It can begin earlier than many people expect.
It is about quality of life, not timing.
Common Questions
When considering hospice support, many people have practical questions about how it works.
We’ve provided clear answers to the questions we’re most often asked – including who hospice is for, how referrals work, what support looks like, costs, visiting, and what happens next.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please contact us. We’re happy to talk it through.
What is Palliative Care?
Will I Have To Pay?
What happens if a patient cannot manage at home?
What happens if a patient has to go to a rest home?
How long can a patient stay in the In-Patient Unit?
Is hospice for cancer patients only?
No – we can offer support for patients with any incurable illness – we only need a referral.
If I come into the IPU am I able to go home again?
Yes, this is your choice.
What happens when you contact us
Reaching out to hospice can feel like a big step, but the first conversation is simply about understanding your situation and helping you find the right support. A member of our team will talk with you, answer any questions you may have, and help determine what support might be helpful.
Advice and support from the hospice clinical team is available 24 hours a day.
Contact us: 0800 211 3081
The first steps usually include:
+ A conversation with a member of our hospice team
+ Understanding your current care and support needs
+ Talking about what support may be helpful now
+ Working with your GP or healthcare team if needed
+ Planning next steps together