Great morning tea

Hello folks.
Well, it was another great morning tea put on the Wellington brunch of the MND Association. There were over 12 people there today, the weather was good and it was enjoyed by all.
We also had the added bonus of a talk by Mary Harmer of the "Te Omanga Hospice". It was all very interesting and I think helped in some way to ease the feelings of those present about what happens at the Hospice.
I know when Jan and I made the effort to go and see the Hospice some months before we were very impressed by the way the staff stopped what they were doing to talk to us and made us feel very welcome. Also put completely at ease by Mary Harmer who showed us around the building. We were very pleased that we had gone in and made ourselves known.
When and if I need to go in we know that I will be treated, not as a patient, but as a person. I will be given the care and dignity that the Hospice is so very good at.
In the photo above we have Mary Harmer (of the Hospice) and Helen Milloy taken at this morning tea. I have mentioned Helen in previous entries. A wonderful asset to the MND Association.

Some more information..

Te Omanga Hospice Achieves Accreditation StatusMonday, 4 September 2006, 10:04 amPress Release: Te Omanga Hospice 4 September 2006
Te Omanga Hospice Achieves Accreditation Status
Te Omanga Hospice today announced that it has achieved accreditation from Quality Health New Zealand, the New Zealand Council on Health care Standards. Quality Health New Zealand is the national accreditation body for hospitals and other health and disability services.
Mrs Biddy Harford, Te Omanga Hospice’s chief executive says, “Receiving accreditation recognises the high standard of care we strive for and our commitment to continuous improvement. It provides an independent assessment of our services by a team of qualified health professionals.
“Accreditation has involved the evaluation of all aspects of the Hospice’s performance against standards of client rights, health care management and safety. It has been very affirming experience for all those involved with the Hospice.”
Accreditation surveyors examine the consumers focus and cultural appropriateness of the services, the multidisciplinary treatment and care of patients, management and clinical systems, the safety of services, personnel and facilities, leadership and governance of the organisation, and the commitment to continuous improvement.
Te Omanga Hospice is a charitable trust that has been providing care and support to those living with terminal illness throughout the entire Hutt region, including Wainuiomata and the Eastern Bays, since 1979. It also provides care and support in the Wairarapa through its outreach programme based in Masterton. The Hospice supports over 450 patients and families each year.
Being accredited is a requirement in order to receive District Health Board funding. This funding provides some
$2.1 million towards the annual cost of $4.4 million for the programmes run by the Hospice. The Hospice has to fund the shortfall from the communities it serves and is reliant upon the support and generosity of people throughout the Hutt and Wairarapa regions.
“The communities we serve can have confidence that Te Omanga is providing excellent standards of service and safe care to its clients and their families,” Mrs Harford said.
ENDS