Open day for new hospice
Mercy Hospice Auckland is holding an open day to thank the people of Auckland for making their new $6.6 million building
in College Hill, Ponsonby, a reality.
The hospice, formerly known at St Joseph’s Mercy Hospice and located in Epsom, provides palliative care services for
around 900 terminally ill patients and their families each year and hospice personnel make around 10,000 home visits
annually.
The open day on Sunday, 14 January (12-6pm) has been planned so people can view the hospice before patients move in and
so avoid disruption to terminally ill patients. The new purpose-built hospice will start functioning on 22 January with
a 15-bed specialist St Joseph’s Unit which will be the largest in Auckland. There will be improved facilities for
visitors and staff as well as multi-use facilities for health professionals and the public.
The 1950s building on College Hill, Ponsonby was donated to the hospice by the Sisters of Mercy, with $2 million donated
by ASB Community Trust, $500,000 from the Lion Foundation, $200,000 from the Portage Trust, $150,000 from the Carr
Endowment Trust, $75,000 from the Sir Ernest Davis Trust and $50,000 from the Lou and Iris Fisher Trust. The remainder
of the funds has been raised from the community with many trusts and individuals contributing towards equipment and
landscaping.
The reburbishment of the building has been completed on time and within budget by Fletcher Interiors. Each hospice room
has its own ensuite and view and the hospice will have an aromatic garden which patients and their families will be able
to enjoy.
“The open day is an opportunity to introduce the new hospice to the people of Auckland City and to show our appreciation
to all of those who have contributed,” Mercy Hospice Auckland CEO Jan Nichols says. “We are thrilled with the new
premises and our staff and patients are looking forward to the move.”
Mercy Hospice Auckland services are free of charge for the 420,000 residents in the Auckland District Health Board’s
area but the hospice must raise
$2 million each year for operating costs from the community.
ENDS