What are the achievements that you are most proud of?

Palliative care services provided by South Coast Hospice was established on the South Coast on the 12th of May 1982. Professional nurse, Kath Defilippi, attended a talk given by Dame Cicely Saunders – Founder of the modern hospice movement. This led to a handful of dedicated volunteers coming together to provide palliative care services to patients living with cancer. Kath Defilippi’s vision of establishing a hospice for the community on the South Coast focusing on care in the home. This ensured that both the patient and their family were given care and support.
It was at this time that the Day Care support group was established. Throughout the years it has offered companionship and care to all those that attend.

With the huge impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, South Coast Hospice answered the call and established the first rural home based care program, in partnership with the KZN Department of Health and this model was adopted by the National Department of Health. It was called the ICHC (Integrated community Home Care) program.

Answering the call and with funding from DG Murray Trust, the care of orphans and vulnerable children became a high priority with a children’s team specifically put into place for this purpose.
For this work, South Coast Hospice received the Impumelelo Social Innovations award.
Through a very active community initiative, the In-Patient-Unit was built alongside Hospice House and opened on 01 November 1994.

Over the years, South Coast Hospice has had to be extremely resilient, especially at times when funding has been scarce. Our philosophy is always to answer the call by the community. Our partnership with our local Department of Health remains strong and where possible, we stand alongside them. The Victor Daitz Foundation generously donated a mobile clinic to our organisation, significantly enhancing our ability to provide essential healthcare services. This clinic has been instrumental in offering cervical screening, TB and MDR-TB treatment, COVID-19 screening and vaccinations, and, more recently, HIV testing and treatment services.

In partnership with our local Department of Health, we provide much needed psychosocial care to stable mental health patients. Our step down facility provides a much needed space for patients to receive skills on how to integrate back into their communities. We recognise that providing home care support is vital to the success of patients at home. The world is a harsh environment, especially to people who are different and stigma is a harsh fact of life for many people who live with mental health challenges.

What are the obstacles that you may have had to overcome to achieve these?

We are based in the UGU region, where there is a high level of poverty through unemployment and an over-burdened health system. South Coast Hospice is often the last resort. We do not turn anyone away and this places a heavy burden, not only on our team, but also on our financial resources. This at times, has placed us at risk.
This has led to us making the very harsh decision to close our Kingfisher In-Patient-Unit. Our Home Care Services continue with a dedicated team, going the distance for the patients on our program.

3. What would you still like to achieve?

We would like re-establish the In-Patient-Unit and put into place a Day Care Health Hub facility. The Health Hub will offer services to our patients and community.

4. What assistance would assist you in achieving this?

Business expertise and guidance.
Opportunities for funding.