Hospice Week takes place from 5 to 11 May, annually. This week focuses on the role the palliative care sector plays in healthcare.
In South Africa, The Association of Palliative Care Centres (APCC) is the member organisation for three palliative care centres in the Free State and 91 nationally, many of which call themselves hospices.
The Goldfields Hospice Association in Welkom has been providing palliative care to patients for the past 35 years.
They provide free support to patients with life-threating illnesses and also provide support to their families.
The association has developed to a point where they own a main office in Bedelia, Welkom, and two satellite buildings in the townships Thabong and Meloding.
A board of governors oversees the running of the organisation along with a general manager, professional nurses, caregivers and volunteers, with access to a social worker.
The Goldfields Hospice provides palliative care to more than 300 individuals every month and reaches a further 1 500 people, which includes the patients’ families and others in the community.
Their primary service is holistic palliative care to any patients with a terminal diagnosis like cancer, HIV/Aids, or emphysema.
Support is provided, also to tuberculosis (TB) patients, through treatment and prevention of cross-infection to family members.
The organisation provides monthly community support groups for all mobile, infected patients, where they aim to educate the patients on various topics of their illnesses. Other services include provision of medical equipment, adult nappies to bedridden patients, and food parcels to the neediest of patients and their families.
The Goldfields Hospice Association is a non-governmental organisation (NGO). Ray Goodsell, chairman of the board for the past 15 years, says he would like to thank the Goldfields community and businesses for their ongoing and loyal support.
They depend on donations and fundraising projects to keep the organisation’s doors open.
One of the main fundraisers is the Butterfly Box, a second-hand shop, where the public can buy anything from clothing to household equipment. This shop is open every Tuesday morning from 09:00 until 12:00.
The shop is in urgent need of winter clothing and blankets, but they appreciate any donations. Donations can be dropped off at the Goldfields Hospice in Bedelia during office hours.
Every quarter, the association has a fundraising event such as selling food, cookies or rusks, with more information available on their Facebook page.
Patients can also rent medical equipment and hospital beds, and high-quality diapers are available to purchase.
The Goldfields Hospice achieved full accreditation with the Council for Health Services Accreditation of Southern Africa (Cohsasa) in 2009 and were re-accredited in June 2012. With the generous help and assistance of corporate and local funding, they are able to continue to provide their services.
The Goldfields Hospice Association is operational Monday to Thursday, between 08:00 and 16:00, and Fridays from 08:00 until 13:00.
For more information or to get involved, visit the Goldfields Hospice at Rose House, 58 Montague Street, or call Tanja Schutte on 057-353-2152/91.
