Interpretation and Preservation of a Historical Record, the Setting up of the Otago Community Hospice 1980 - 1990

Abstract

The study is a descriptive history of the setting up of the Otago Community Hospice from the conception of the hospice idea and what influences and issues were involved in its creation in 1980 - 1990. The main objectives of the project were to understand and interpret the past and look at how this benefited the nursing profession and public of Otago. Then to understand the importance of preserving history in this case ensuring an important archive, the Otago Community Hospice history, is deposited at the appropriate place - the Hocken Library. These objectives were achieved by using documentary primary source research and one oral history. My secondary sources were journal articles, books, course books, textbooks and patient information booklet. The story of the setting up of the Hospice demonstrates how a group of registered nurses, doctors and business people began a journey with an idea in 1970 by Dr Ivan Lichter, introducing palliative care to a ward at Wakari Hospital, Dunedin. Then in 1987, a palliative care unit was established in Dunedin Hospital, and in 1990, a stand-alone hospice. Policies had to be established, guidelines written, money raised, a suitable site found, issues dealt with and alliances formed with the Otago Area Health Board. The knowledge gained from this project will help nurses to understand their potential specialist role within the hospice movement and hopefully, provide a process for other nurses or health institutions to record and archive their own hospice history.