Palliative care in New Zealand provides for the caring and treatment of those facing life-threatening illnesses. When you or a member of your family experience the need to seek professional help during your illness the end-of-life management programs in New Zealand are focused on providing the best assistance and treatment available.

Palliative care comes under the branch of supportive treatment and it is the process of holistically providing treatment for patients who suffer from advanced progressive illnesses. Pain management and the managing of other symptoms and administering psychological, social and spiritual support is the principal goal. Achieving the best quality of life for the patients and their families is the ultimate goal. End-of-life management is not just important to advanced progressive illnesses it is vital to the process of early treatment also. There are several aims of this type of aid, firstly, life is affirmed and dying is considered a normal process. Giving relief from pain and other difficult symptoms and incorporating the psychological and spiritual aspects of patient care are also part of the aims. Providing a support system that helps patients to live a full and active life for as long as possible until death is another important aim. Offering a support system to assist the families involved cope during the patient’s sickness and with their own bereavement is paramount.

When considering palliative care in New Zealand there are two different types that you can choose from being either health or social. There are those who give the everyday attention to patients and carers either in their homes or in a hospital. They gauge the needs of every patient and their families over the sphere of physical, psychological, social and spiritual and information needs. They carry these tasks out professionally within the scope of their knowledge, skills and capability; they also know when to seek further assistance from specialist services. The second type is provided by specialist teams that include consultants in palliative medicine, clinical nurse specialists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dieticians, pharmacists, social workers and those able to give spiritual and psychological support. They assess and give advice and nurture in all settings including hospitals and homes to families and patients. They also work in specialist in-patient facilities such as hospices and hospitals to assist patients who have complex needs and benefit from permanent support. They work alongside doctors and nurses in providing this help. Day care facilities that provide a range of assessments and reviews of patient’s needs and help with emotional and psychological support are also a part of the specialist palliative care you can receive.