When people think of KZN, they tend to imagine Durban, the beach and beautiful sunny, warm weather. I was very privileged to experience a slightly different picture this week as I travelled through the central KZN interior. Cold, cold and colder. 700 Km in 3 days of cold.
In many ways all the sites visited share the similarity of being situated in out-of-the-way places, and in reasonably small towns.
Driving gives a slightly different perspective to flying. Bad roads, dirt roads, cattle and goats as mobile traffic lights. The reality of the South Africa we live in is vast and different, and this is a joy to experience.
In the same way, our palliative care services need to be shaped by the communities who need them. Moulded and provided in each and every unique way.
Escourt Hospice
Estcourt Hospice, my former place of work, provides care to approximately 160 patients. A small team of nurses and caregivers are passionate about the palliative care they provide. They have developed excellent relationships with the District Health Department and are active in providing training for Department of Health employees. This programme has been ongoing for a number of years. They rely heavily on volunteers who do an amazing job of local, community-based fundraising.
Ladysmith Hospice
Ladysmith Hospice has the most amazing Hospice shop, and such generous donations from the public in support of the shop. They also rely on volunteers to help in their community fundraising efforts. While Ladysmith is not a small town, the levels of poverty and unemployment are truly overwhelming. The vast geographical area covered by the palliative care team is phenomenal, and most of the caregivers are on foot between patients.
Duduzu Care Centre
Duduza Care Centre is situated at the Maria Ratschitz Mission (between Ladysmith, Dundee and Newcastle) and boasts a 15-bed IPU (about 50% occupancy on the day of my visit). They have a small but impactful paediatric programme that is led by their social worker. A group of about 50 school-going children were away on a camp, led by the social worker during my visit. I can’t imagine looking after one child, let alone 50. Duduza has a history of making use of and developing local community members with various skills that in turn help the organisation. I was able to meet one such person, diagnosed with serious depression, who was amazing in her ability to create electronic posters, flyers and such like. This, in turn, is helping her better cope with her depression.
Philanjalo
Philanjalo in Tugela Ferry has enjoyed a long and good relationship with the Church of Scotland Hospital (DoH) and has a 28-bed IPU funded by the Department of Health. Due to funding cuts, the home care project has ended, but fruitful relationships have been developed with the clinics associated with the local hospital.