Christmas Message from Your Lake Taupō Hospice CEO
Christmas is a very special time in hospice, when we reflect on the year that has passed and think of all the wonderful people whom we have connected with.
Throughout the year, we are regularly thanked by our patients and their families for the care and support they have received. I extend these thanks back to you – our community for all your support. We could not provide our service without you.
I was reading recently about the life of Dame Cicely Saunders, the founder of the hospice movement and reflected on one of her quotes "You matter because you are you, and you matter to the last moment of your life'. This remains the philosophy of the hospice movement and remains fundamental to the care and support we provide.
This year has been a busy year with change, and challenge. Covid challenges continued and while government regulations have eased, we have continued to put the wellbeing of our patients and volunteers first continuing to navigate and adapt to what is best as we go.
The Lake Taupō Hospice shops continue to thrive transferring second-hand goods into first class care. In between change and challenge, we ran two, phenomenal #Fabulous events. The support from our community was overwhelming.
Now reflecting, we see how we have come through the year strongly and stronger because of our awesome employees, fantastic volunteers (including our Board of Trustees), our loyal supporters, and those who supported us through bequests, donations, and our fundraising events. I want to thank everyone for their steadfast service.
We could not deliver the range of specialised palliative care we do, 24hrs a day, 7 days a week and 52 weeks a year without our retail shops and the generous donations and support from our community.
Some take home facts for the year - 67% of Lake Taupō Hospice service delivery costs continue to be generated from our hospice retail shops.
We have received 233 referrals this year, with 204 days being the average length of stay. The average number of patients in in our care each day is 80, our clinical team have made over 2000 visits and 2500 social support contacts this year.
As your CEO, I commit to continuing to lobby along with all the other Hospice CEs across the country for equitable, sustainable funding whilst retaining our local for local service.
I would like to take this opportunity to say a sincere 'Thank you' to you all, remembering you are all helping us to look after someone's father, mother, sister, brother, daughter, son, relative or friend - you are an integral part of Lake Taupō Hospice.
In the new year we will be reaching out to ask you how you would like to receive news from us and be involved, so please keep an eye out for an email or phone call from us.
All my best wishes are with you and your families for a peaceful and happy Christmas.