Page 4 - TOH_Making a difference 2023-2024

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CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
TE OMANGA HOSPICE TRUST
Tēnā koutou katoa
This year has been another year of challenges, where the impact of the introduction of the new health sector arrangements has continued. The transition has been very slow and there has been little certainty on what a move to a regional approach will mean for our Government funding and how we operate. In this vacuum we have worked closely with Hospice
New Zealand and other Hospices across New Zealand to anticipate, and endeavour to have some influence over how the regional commissioning might operate and the measures we need to put in place in response to this.
This has included strengthened collaboration amongst the Hospices within the central region. Chief Executives have worked together to find opportunities to benchmark our services,
create efficiencies and share common resources e.g. education material and approaches. With recent announcements by the Government, it seems likely that the health sector will be in flux for some time yet.
We have continued to experience nurse shortages despite having made some progress on pay relativity issues. In New Zealand, where there is an ongoing national shortage of qualified nurses, experienced palliative care nurses are like nuggets of gold. It is often not a discipline of choice for young or less-experienced nurses. While continuing to canvas the local market we have
also looked to recruit offshore. “Growing our own” palliative care nurses is an approach we are also exploring, along with Mary Potter Hospice. Nursing shortages combined with sickness (COVID-19 and other) have placed our Nursing team under considerable pressure for extended periods. Those able have pulled together, providing cover and support for their colleagues, and their dedication is the key reason the quality of our services has been able to be maintained. A huge thank you to our Nursing team from myself and the Trust Board.
Te Omanga Hospice has been affected by the overall downturn in New Zealand’s economy. The rising costs of essential supplies and services have put pressure on our budget. The retail sector is challenging in this economic climate with increasing costs, and our shops are also feeling the impact of this on their net return.
But it is not all doom and gloom. We had a very successful Vintners’ Lunch and were delighted to once again host our Golf Tournament in February. Many businesses, community groups, schools and individuals chose Te Omanga Hospice as their charity of choice – for which we are so grateful.
Our wider community support during our Street Appeal was incredible – over $38,000 raised. It seems that the bucket and stickers (supported by an EFTPOS machine or two) are still going strong! Thank you to everyone who supported us during the year – it means so much to us to have you with us.
Thanks also, to our Trustees – in particular to Brendon Baker, Michele McCreadie and Richard Taggart who we said farewell to during the year; to Biddy Harford and her Leadership team and of course to all our wonderful staff and volunteers who make Te Omanga Hospice the special place it is.
Ngā mihi nui
Debbie Tse
Chair
Te Omanga Hospice Trust Board