MERCY HOSPICE (MH) is the provider of specialist palliative care services for people living in Auckland City and the central Auckland area. We provide palliative care and support to patients and their whānau wherever they live, whether it be in their homes or in residential care. We also provide palliative care within our 8-bed hospice inpatient unit at College Hill Ponsonby.
Mercy Hospice services are partially funded by Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora but with significant funding being raised by the hospice fundraising team and our For Mercy community shops. All Mercy Hospice services are available at no cost to all people in our community with palliative care needs.
Mercy Hospice embraces the diversity within our community and provides a safe and welcoming service to people of all religions, ethnicity, culture and gender diversity.
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative or hospice care provides support for patients and whānau confronted with illness that is life-limiting. A palliative care approach aims to improve quality of life by addressing social, psychological and spiritual needs as well as physical needs such as managing pain and other distressing symptoms.
When is Palliative Care Helpful?
Palliative care may help at any stage of a life-limiting illness when there are significant physical, psychological or social problems. Palliative care and support is available from MH Community Teams visiting patients at home or in residential care settings and within the Mercy Hospice Inpatient Unit.
There is also a separate specialist palliative care team based within Auckland City Hospital who attend patients with palliative care needs within the hospital.
Who Provides Palliative Care when you are Living at Home or in Residential Care?
General Practitioners and the primary care team, such as District Nurses, provide palliative care for most people living at home. In residential care facilities, their Medical Officers and Nurses provide most palliative care. However if the person's palliative care needs become more complex, then Mercy Hospice Nurses, Doctors and Allied Health Practitioners may become involved to assist the GPs or Residential Care doctors and nurses, to meet the palliative care needs.