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Durban hospice faces financial crisis
by Kim Robinson
2002-03-20

Highway Hospice in Durban has prided itself for years on giving care, medical and mental, to those in need, but now it faces the worst financial crisis in its history. Patients like Ephraim Magwaza know there is a place where they can get the attention needed in their last moments, but the hospice itself is financially ill. In the last year they have had to cut their budget by 25 percent, the number of beds by half and have lost 25 percent of their workforce. The financial crisis was compounded by a crime-driven year 2000 during which two vehicles were hijacked, three stolen and the linen cupboard burgled. The hospice's funding comes from donations, trusts and the man on the street. Family used to give R100 in memory of a loved one, now they can barely afford R20. They cannot afford it in today's economic climate, but it has hit us badly, said the General Manager, Lesley Van Zyl. It costs R700 a day to have a patient staying at the Sherwood centre, but R100 for a home-care visit. The hospice has more than 500 home-care patients it needs to look after. The remaining staff at the hospice have not had an increase in more than two years, do not get an end-of-year bonus or perks. They work long hours, facing traumatic medical and social situations. One of the ways around the budget constraints is to open community-based centres. The first centre was opened in Chesterville, with one in Phoenix opened this week. To the hospice, care is more than just a medical term; it is an improvement in the quality of life for patients and families - even at personal cost to the staff. (Source: Independent on Saturday, 16 March 2002)

Highway Hospice in Durban has prided itself for years on giving care, medical and mental, to those in need, but now it faces the worst financial crisis in its history.

Patients like Ephraim Magwaza know there is a place where they can get the attention needed in their last moments, but the hospice itself is financially ill. In the last year they have had to cut their budget by 25 percent, the number of beds by half and have lost 25 percent of their workforce.

Through voluntary retrenchment, redundancies and frozen posts we have lost 25 staff members - from doctors to cleaners, said General Manager Lesley Van Zyl.

The financial crisis was compounded by a crime-driven year 2000 during which two vehicles were hijacked, three stolen and the linen cupboard burgled.

We had to get extra security, fences, gates, burglar guards and monitoring systems, which was a cost we had not budgeted for, said Van Zyl.

The hospice's funding comes from donations, trusts and the man on the street.

Family used to give R100 in memory of a loved one, now they can barely afford R20. They cannot afford it in today's economic climate, but it has hit us badly, said Van Zyl.

It costs R700 a day to have a patient staying at the Sherwood centre, but R100 for a home-care visit. The hospice has more than 500 home-care patients it needs to look after.

Patients and families need to know there is help 24 hours a day if they need it. When they cannot cope anymore, we will be there, said Van Zyl.

The remaining staff at the hospice have not had an increase in more than two years, do not get an end-of-year bonus or perks. They work long hours, facing traumatic medical and social situations.

If a care-worker goes to visit a starving family, she makes sure they have groceries before she leaves, paying out of her own pocket, said Van Zyl.

Fundraiser Karen Fouchee had a close family member who was cared for at the hospice before death.

The care received made me want to work here, she said.

One of the ways around the budget constraints is to open community-based centres. The first centre was opened in Chesterville, with one in Phoenix opened this week.

We are about to open one in Inanda and have planned another for Umlazi, said Van Zyl.

The idea is to educate the community in home-based care and fund-raising projects.

With HIV/AIDS on the increase, this is the only way we will be able to cope. Despite our problems, we will not turn anyone away, he said. 

To the hospice, care is more than just a medical term; it is an improvement in the quality of life for patients and families - even at personal cost to the staff.

Source: Independent on Saturday, 16 March 2002

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