About us & Hospice Care
Supporting people living with a life limiting condition.
About Hospice Care Association
In early 2000, a group of interested stakeholders met to look at the feasibility of establishing a Hospice facility on the North West Coast. A working party was formed and after many months of hard work, a proposal was submitted to the State Health Minister outlining the desperate need for such a facility, and the option of establishing it at the North West Private Hospital in Burnie.
In the ensuring years this proposal was pursued relentlessly with changing Health Ministers, other politicians and through publicity in The Advocate.
In 2003 the Health Minister commissioned a state-wide Palliative Care Review and in mid 2004 the report “Palliative Care in Tasmania: current situations and future directions” was released.
This report highlighted what we had known for many years – the North West Coast desperately needed many dedicated Hospice beds. The concept proposed was the “Hospice without Walls” model. The Health Minister promptly publicly announced that 4 beds would be allocated for this purpose at the Mersey Hospital.
Viki Elphinstone and the Governor of Tasmania, the Honourable Barbara Baker AC at Government House. Viki was recognised in 2022 for her lifelong commitment to Palliative Care and Hospice Care on the North West Coast with induction onto the Tasmanian Palliative Care Honour Roll .
30th Anniversary of Training Volunteers in 2019
Barb Schmidt – an inaugural Volunteer
Hospice Care Association started training and supporting Hospice Volunteers in 1989. One of the very earliest Volunteers was Barbara Schmidt.
Barb was that very special breed of Volunteer who can visit with anyone and make them comfortable and at ease. Barb was kind and compassionate, she had a sense of humour which is a necessary trait of a Hospice Volunteer, she could listen without judgement and epitomises the special person that our Hospice Volunteers are. Barb was not alone, but she had been part of the Association for the longest period of time.
“It is with sadness that our Hospice Community farewelled Barb in April 2023. She died peacefully with her family around her. A beautiful soul at rest.
Barb is sadly missed by all our Hospice Volunteers (past and present), our Board Members (past and present) and Office Staff”
Buzz Words
We have been fortunate to be able to access this amazing Display case in Burnie and our Marketing Guru from the Board updates this space on a regular basis. We are able to share our ‘buzz words’ —“Where Quality Care Matters Most”
WALKING THROUGH GRIEF (WTG)
Hospice Care Association & this innovative program has been operating since October 2015. We have 12 trained Volunteers who are rostered on 2 walks in a 3 month period…..
