Dame and PM at hospice opening

Dame and PM at hospice opening

It was a nostalgic occasion when world famous soprano Dame Malvina Major performed for the 400 guests attending the official opening ceremony for Mercy Hospice Auckland on Sunday. Dame Malvina has an historic association with the new hospice site at College Hill, Ponsonby and the Sisters of Mercy having received singing lessons in the same building from famous New Zealand singing teacher Dame Sister Mary Leo at the St Mary’s Music School.

Prime Minister Rt Hon Helen Clark officially opened the $6.5 million building on Sunday, 18 March, unveiling a plaque. The ceremony, hosted by Sister Denise Fox, Congregational Leader for Sisters of Mercy New Zealand, also included a blessing from the Bishop of Auckland Patrick Dunn. Chairman of Sisters of Mercy Auckland Board, Reuben O’Neill presented a key to the building to Mercy Hospice Auckland Chair Denis Wood. The building, originally the St Mary’s College Hostel and prior to that the Sisters’ noviciate, has been donated to the hospice by the Sisters of Mercy.

Other guests in the official party included the Mayor of Auckland Dick Hubbard and Mayoress Diana Hubbard, Auckland District Health Board member Dr Ian Scott, the General Manager of Mercy Hospice Auckland Peter Buckland and CEO Jan Nichols.

Dame Malvina, one of the world’s finest sopranos, sang several times and musicians from St Mary’s and Carmel Colleges performed during the ceremony.

Mercy Hospice Auckland provides palliative care services for around 900 terminally ill patients and their families each year. In the seven weeks since the hospice relocated from Epsom to Ponsonby in late January 2007 over 100 new referrals have been received; more than 60 people have been admitted to the new inpatient unit (49% of these aged less than 65 years) and more than 1000 community visits have been made.

The new hospice at 61 College Hill, Ponsonby is both the newest and one of the oldest hospices in New Zealand as well as one of the largest. The hospice was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1979 as St Joseph’s Unit in the Mercy Hospital in Epsom and the 15-bed unit in the new hospice is named the St Joseph’s Unit after its predecessor.

The hospice has been built in the completely refurbished St Mary’s Hostel – the land and building having been donated by the Sisters of Mercy. Their contribution of $3.5 million towards refurbishment was mirrored by a group of sponsors including The ASB Community Trust, Lion Foundation, Carr Endowment Trust, Portage Trust, Sir Ernest Davis Endowment Trust, the Lou and Iris Fisher Charitable Trust and Kerr Taylor Foundation. In addition many other trusts, service clubs and individuals have donated funds and goods.

“Since their arrival in Auckland in 1850 the Sisters of Mercy have been
committed to the serving the vulnerable and Mercy Hospice Auckland is a
symbol in the city of this commitment,” says Sister Denise Fox. ”We are proud of our staff and volunteers who support patients and families to live with dignity and quality.”

At the new hospice every patient has an ensuite and the building includes facilities for day patients and visitors with an overnight rest area and lounges, facilities for massage and aromatherapy, staff meeting rooms and offices. The rooms are designed to provide comfort and privacy for each patient and most look out over an aromatic garden.

The building incorporates many interesting features from the previous chapel and hospice building including stained glass windows and a bronze art work and art works by renowned Auckland artist John Papas, who is a Ponsonby resident.

ENDS

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