1.1 Introduction
Paarl Hospice was established in May 1991 and changed its name to Drakenstein Hospice in 2004. In order to accurately reflect the geographical area we serve and the nature of service delivery, the name was changed in Sept. 2007 to Drakenstein Palliative Hospice (DPH). We are affiliated with the Western Cape Hospice Palliative Care Association (WC-HPCA) and a 5-star member of the Hospice Palliative Care Association of South Africa (HPCA) and received COHSASA Accreditation, for the 2nd time, (Council of Hospital Services Accreditation of Southern Africa) until May 2011.

We provide a free service to all patients with a life-threatening illness (infected and affected) and we are on call 24 hrs a day. (See Patient Care for Admission Criteria)

1.2 Vision & Mission
The Vision of DPH is ‘quality Palliative Care for all’. Our Mission is ‘to respond to the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of persons living with a life-threatening illness within the Drakenstein District, through the provision of sustainable palliative home based care and education’.

3.Guiding Principles
WHO Definition of Palliative Care
Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing problems associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering, the early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems; physical, psychosocial and spiritual.

1.5 Organisational Capacity
DPH is a Section 21 Company (1999/015481/08) that was registered on 20/07/1999 and also as a Non Profit organisation (012-654 NPO) on 15/01/2001. The Department Heads report to the Management committee and attend Board meetings. Last year (2009) we provided a palliative service to 664 patients and OVC’s (children of our patients) within the Drakenstein Health District.

1.6 Patient Care Services
During 2009 DPH cared for 470 patients and 194 OVC’s. We admitted 214 new patients, 169 patients died, 58 were transferred and 65 were children. Of the total number of patients cared for 177 were HIV/AIDS patients; 171 had cancer, the rest had other chronic diseases.

We have been identified as a pilot paediatric palliative care programme in recognition for the innovative way in which we are working with children both infected (sick children) and affected (children and siblings of our patients) by HIV/Aids. Currently we are looking after; 54 sick children, 194 OVC’s and 107 community vulnerable children, a total of 355 children per month.

As part of the strategic plan it is our aim to network with and train relevant partners, recognising that we cannot do the work alone and that palliative care requires a holistic input. To this end we have established Butterfly House (a palliative resource centre in the community) to assist patients, OVC’s and community vulnerable children to ‘live’ with HIV/Aids through various community projects, day care, medical care, food provision, skills development, job creation, after school supervision, and psychosocial support, play therapy and recreational groups.

The range of services provided by DPH includes:
Community-based palliative home care (paediatric and adult care)
Day Care (see Butterfly House)
Psychosocial care (i.e. counselling; bereavement counselling; nutritional support; access to social grants etc.) and
Education & Training

2. Statement of Need
The most overwhelming need of DPH is direct financial support to Drakenstein Palliative Hospice for patient and OVC care. The DPH service area is the Drakenstein Health District which stretches from Saron to Simondium. We have an interdisciplinary palliative care team consisting of 5 professional nurses, 3 social workers, a sessional psychologist, play therapist, maths teacher and massage therapist, 20 HBC nurses, and 3 drivers.

The quality of service delivery and the expansion of our service is directly proportionate to the financial sustainability of the organisation. Our challenge this year is to ensure that the most vulnerable adults and children benefit from the Butterfly House programmes and to expand the Palliative Care for Older Persons which will assist sustainability.

Thanking you for your interest and support of the work we do.

Elizabeth Scrimgeour
CEO
DRAKENSTEIN PALLIATIVE HOSPICE

Edited March 2010

Directors:
B Afrika; H Basson; D Cotton; T Goliath; CJ Grobbelaar; G Helling (Vice-chair);
M Laubscher(Chairman); N Ramailane; N van der Hoeven; A Venter; AB Slabber
Public Relations

Twice a year we publish a newsletter, please e-mail us to get on the mailing list.

Volunteers are the back-bone of the organisation. Please become a volunteer and be part of this winning team making a difference in our community. You could assist with fundraising, public relations, administration, reception, patient care, bereavement, playing with children, working in the shops, the after-school home work club, day care and craft sessions. We need you!