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Getting help with palliative care

Whai āwhina mō te manaakitanga whakamaene

This page has links to information in other languages.

Caring for someone who has a life-limiting illness is very much a team effort. The person and their whānau (family) are right at the centre of that team. The main goal is to help the person live their life as fully and comfortably as possible until they die.

In the Southern district, there are several care and support options. These range from a person's general practice team to specialist palliative care services. They work alongside general practice teams, district nurses, pharmacists and other health professionals to provide the best possible care.

Care is always tailored to an individual’s needs. Many people are well managed by their general practice team and district nurse and do not need specialist palliative care. Others need help with a specific issue for a short period of time, while a few may need support over longer periods.

General practice team

General practice teams are the main providers of palliative care. They work with other services when necessary.

If you need to find a general practice team, you can find one on the WellSouth website.

Community-based health services

You may already be receiving care from a community team. This team can continue to provide care. It can also get advice and help from Te Whatu Ora Southern Palliative Care Advisory Service if needed.

District nurses and domestic assistance

District nurses and healthcare assistants provide nursing care and treatment for people who stay in their own home.

Domestic assistance provides a support worker who comes to your house to help with daily tasks, such as laundry, vacuuming, dusting, dishes, making the bed, preparing meals and essential shopping.

District nursing and domestic assistance are free for people receiving palliative care at home. Ask your general practice team to arrange this for you.

Residential care

If you are in residential care (a rest home, hospital level or dementia care) you will not receive district nursing or domestic assistance. The residential care staff will look after you and provide the help you need.

Palliative care providers

Dunedin and Central Otago

Otago Community Hospice
For advice, contact the service on 0800-473-6005.

Southland

Hospice Southland
For advice, contact the service on 0800-211-308.

Palliative care services

Palliative care services include:

symptom control, for example, for pain and breathlessness
emotional and family support
end-of-life care for people dying in the hospital.

Your doctor or a hospital specialist can refer you for palliative care. If you think you or a family member or friend might need the team's help, talk to a member of the healthcare team about this.

See this pamphlet for information about the Southern DHB Palliative Care Advisory Service.

HealthInfo recommends the following pages

The Palliative Outcomes Initiative (POI) – Patient resources

Brochures about palliative care and end of life in English, Arabic, Chinese, Cook Island Māori, Hindi, Korean, Samoan and Tongan.

On the next page: Financial support in palliative care

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed October 2024.

Sources

The information in this section comes from the following sources, some of which may be clinically complex or not available to the general public

Canterbury Community HealthPathways – Cough in palliative care, retrieved December 2016.

Canterbury Community HealthPathways – Dyspnoea in palliative care, retrieved December 2016.

Canterbury Community HealthPathways – Pruritus (itch) in palliative care, retrieved December 2016.

Canterbury Community HealthPathways – Weakness and fatigue in palliative care, retrieved December 2016.

Canterbury DHB – Palliative care guidelines (http://cdhb.palliativecare.org.nz/4207.htm), retrieved August 2016.

Nurse Maude – Symptom management, retrieved December 2016.

Palliative Care Australia – Facts about morphine and other opioid medicines in palliative care, retrieved February 2017.

Palliative Care Australia – Learn more about pain and pain management, retrieved February 2017.

South Island Alliance – Health of older people useful resources (https://www.sialliance.health.nz/programmes/health-of-older-people/useful-resources/), retrieved September 2022.

UpToDate – Managing pain when you have cancer, retrieved February 2017.

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Image of a confused elderly man in bed being comforted from Shutterstock (image ID 1897170943). November 2022.

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Image of a nauseous woman from Shutterstock (image ID 174166217). November 2017.

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Image of a woman lying back holding a cushion from Shutterstock (image ID 313042859). February 2017.

Image of a woman using a nasal spray from Shutterstock (image ID 342285080). October 2016.

Image of a woman who doesn't feel like eating from Shutterstock (image ID 151886909). February 2017.

Image of an elderly breathless woman leaning on a tree from Shutterstock (image ID 181672562). February 2017.

Image of an elderly man blowing bubbles with a child from Shutterstock (image ID 305524514). November 2016.

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