South Canterbury Hospice: From Chrysalis to Butterfly: The Development of Palliative Care Services in South Canterbury, 1988-1998

Abstract

The study, a descriptive history of the South Canterbury Hospice from 1988 to 1998, places this regional hospice care service in the development of palliative care services in New Zealand and throughout the world. The project's main objectives were to describe the emergence of the South Canterbury Hospice, in order to preserve this information while it was still recent history, and to document the development of palliative care services in South Canterbury showing the contrast between past and current services and illustrating the benefits to all concerned — patients, carers, families and nurses. These objectives were achieved using oral history and documentary primary source research. The story of the South Canterbury Hospice illustrates how a group of registered nurses and business people together can achieve a successful outcome with significance for the health care of the community, making this study a useful document particularly pertinent for communities of a similar size with similar needs. This example will serve to deepen people's understanding of developing a hospice service, including the advantages that the community gains through this service. The knowledge gained from this project will increase nurses' understanding of their potential role in this challenging movement. The role created for nurses by the development in palliative care services in South Canterbury is supported by the education now offered nationwide. Hospice nurses are specialising in palliative care by training in palliative care modules offered throughout New Zealand. Palliative care nurses are able to utilise their skills in the South Canterbury region because the hospice service provides an environment especially designed for caring for terminally ill patients either in their home or in the Inpatient Unit.