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, psychosocial and spiritual. (World Health Organisation's definition of palliative care.)

Home based care: Our palliative trained nursing sisters visit patients in their own homes. The nursing sister co-ordinates the care and liases with other hospice team members such as the doctor, social worker, community care workers, volunteer caregivers and other professionals who may be involved in treating the patient.

Care consists of:

Regular visits by the Hospice Sister as is appropriate to the patient’s condition

Pain and symptom control

Nursing management such as how to deal with incontinence, wound dressing, prevention of bed sores, colostomy care

Advice regarding nutrition and feeding

Equipment such as commodes, wheelchairs, mattresses, sheepskins and walkers may be loaned by hospice patients at no charge.

Emotional support

Our ten Nursing Sisters visit patients residing in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan region (Nigel, Springs, Benoni, Boksburg, Brakpan, Kempton Park, Germiston, Edenvale, Bedfordview and the township areas in these regions). Currently, on average, 425 patients per month receive our care.
Hospice Sisters are available telephonically 24 hours for emergencies.

In Patient Unit: Hospice East Rand has a 5 bedded facility situated at 218 Kemston Ave, Benoni. The Unit offers short term stay and provides 24 hour specialised care for patients who cannot be treated at home. This may be due to deterioration in the patient’s condition or the need for medical intervention for unmanageable symptoms. Patients can also be admitted to the Unit to allow family members a short period of respite.

Frail Care Centre: We are in the unique position of having a long term Care Centre attached to our In Patient Unit. It is a 5 single room facility and provides comprehensive nursing care to the residents in our care. A fixed monthly tariff is charged and this is payable in advance. Residents are encouraged to add a few personal belongings to the fully furnished rooms to create a familiar and comforting feeling.

Doctors: Hospice East Rand has three part-time doctors.

Day Care:  We offer a Day Care Programme (in Benoni) and a Drop In Care Centre (in Vosloorus). These services are invaluable to patients providing an outing with a programme of interesting activities, a tasty meal and the company of other people. Hospice (Benoni) runs a day care facility each Wednesday and in Vosloorus twice weekly on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Emotional support: The changing dynamics of family life, which are brought about by terminal illness, can impair communication and cause anguish and fear. Caregivers are volunteers who have specialised training, and have the necessary counselling skills to discuss problems. This can make a meaningful difference to patients and families enabling them to be more effectively involved in all aspects of their care.

Bereavement Care: Our Hospice offers bereavement counselling to anyone who has suffered the loss of a loved one. Regular social get-togethers are organised by trained caregivers for those whose dear ones have died. Events such as bring and braais are held at our centre on a regular basis and provide a social outlet for the bereaved.

How to access hospice care and place a patient on the hospice programme. Patients needing hospice care are required to contact hospice themselves, by telephone to the Intake Officer at 011 422 1531. Alternatively contact can be made by a family member, the patient's doctor, social worker or other appropriate person. It is a stipulation that the patient must want hospice care and be aware that we have been approached.

Once the intake documentation has been completed, and a medical report from the patient's doctor has been received, a Nursing Sister from hospice will do an assessment visit to determine if the patient should be placed in the hospice programme.