Hospice Team Expand Residential Care Support

Our innovative and agile ARC Support Service has been renamed and re-focussed in light of continuing pressures in the residential care sector. Now known as the Residential Care Support Service and led by Nurse Practitioner, Sally Fleming, the A-team of experienced palliative care nurses are providing increased support to residential care units across Otago.

This newly focussed team is helping facilities and staff to provide palliative care. If a residential care facility feels out of their depth, or have a dying resident who needs extra support, then they can make a referral to the Hospice Residential Team at any time. Referrals can now be made via the Residential Care Support webpage https://otagohospice.co.nz/patient-services/residential-care-information/, or calling 0800 473 6005.

"The team is available to support all residential care facilities in the Otago region.

"They can help by sharing information through formal education or can simply take a call to give advice. Support can be direct patient assessment and care, assisting in developing care plans or having conversations about serious illness.

"The team is flexible and can tailor support to best suit the facility and the people living there," says Ms Fleming.

The RCT consists of (left to right) Rosie Hoyt, Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) North and East Otago; Sally Fleming, Nurse Practitioner and Team Leader; Helen Harrex, CNS Central and South Otago and Elaine Horn, CNS Dunedin.