* ESTCOURT HOSPICE ASSOCIATION: Profile

Estcourt Hospice Profile 2017

Updated April 2017

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Hospices fulfill a critical role in the communities in which they operate and provide palliative care for patients which is not ordinarily available from the State. Their approach is a holistic one which caters not only for their patients, but for families/dependents of the patients as well.

According to avert.org Kwazulu Natal has the highest HIV rate in South Africa and is estimated at 40% of the population. If one looks at the General Household Survey 2015 released by Stats SA in June 2015 and one extrapolates the number of households versus the total population, the average household has just under 4 inhabitants.One could thus postulate that each patient cared f or by Hospice, approximately 3 people in a single household will have contact with Hospice and will also receive services from them. The point is that Hospice influences the lives of both their patients and of those closest to them.

Critical to Hospices is the ability to raise funds to care for those who need them in their community. Our Hospice is no exception.

We have been operating successfully since 1991 and have been awarded the prestigious 5 star Council for Health Service Accreditation of Southern Africa. It is through the dedication of our staff and the generosity of donors and the community that we have been able to make a difference in the lives of people who need us most.

2. OUR VISION

To develop, within the limits of sustainable development, the highest standard of quality holistic palliative care and education, extending into all the communities we serve.

3. OUR MISSION

Estcourt Hospice Association provides and promotes home based care and bereavement support to patients with a life threatening illness, their families and others through direct patient care, liaison with strategic partners, training, mentorship and supervision.

4. BACKGROUND/HISTORY

Estcourt Hospice Association was established in 1991 by founder/member Mrs Eileen Portsmouth. Initially this was a group of volunteers who helped mostly cancer patients in the town of Estcourt.

Estcourt Hospice Association is a Non-Profit Association (004-124 NPO) as well as a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) and a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO 930001009) that is managed by a Board of members.

Estcourt Hospice Association does what hospices all over the world do - care for people in "end of life stage". They also care for those suffering from cancer, HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis.

The purpose of the Estcourt Hospice Association is to meet the requirements of the HPCA Standards and offer holistic palliative care to those who meet the required criteria.

5. PRINCIPLE ACTIVITIES

Estcourt Hospice Association provides palliative care services to patients with an incurable disease.

Professional nursing staff ensures that the patient is pain free and comfortable. Cases requiring a doctor are referred to the hospital.

The social worker in Hospice provides psychological palliative care to terminally ill patients to ensure they are emotionally and psychologically stable and accept their illness and can prepare to die with dignity and no spiritual dilemma. We do grief and bereavement visits to help the family when they have lost a loved one.

Hospice also does followup on defaulting Tuberculosis / HIV patients by doing home visits and counselling as required.

Most of our clients contact us through a referral system from the hospitals, clinics and the community. When finances are available, we offer such food and medication as is available and, where necessary, we refer patients to the Depart of Social Development (DSD) and Estcourt Provincial Hospital or the local clinic.

Poverty is an ongoing issue in the community. We encourage families to have gardens. Vulnerable people (bedridden) are seen more regularly. Thew elderly and children are assisted in applications for grants and emotional support is provided, where needed.

We recently commenced a new programme that focuses on NCDs (Non Communicable Diseases) with Diabetic and Hypertension, including education, focus on prevention, screening, testing and refering clients to health care services.

Our principle activities are depicted in this picture:

6. CURRENT SERVICE DELIVERY AREAS

Our service delivery areas are as follows:

Estcourt Central
Rensburg
Collita
Forderville
Wembezi Township
Drakensview
Shayamoya
Emhubeni
Mimosadale

7. PERSONNEL AND BOARD

The Hospice makes use of volunteers wherever and whenever possible.

As with all NGOs, Estcourt Hospice Association has a Management Board which oversees the running and management of the organisation. The Board is made up of:

Chairman
Vice-Chairman
Treasurer
Secretary
up to 5 additional members.

8. INFRASTRUCTURE

Our premises are based at 46 Beechwood Road, Drakensview, Estcourt. It is known as The Hospice House. The building and all its contents (furniture and computer equipment) plus 3 vehicles belongs to the Hospice and have been acquired through donations over the years.

9. TRAINING

There is an accredited training facility at our premises. We have access to professional facilitators to train short courses in:

Introduction to Palliative Care for Professionals
Introduction to Palliative Care for ENAs
Tuberculosis training for Caregivers
Grief and Bereavement Counselling
Other relevant courses on request

Training on a larger scale can be arranged, if funding for this is available.