The first edition of The Palliative Care Handbook New Zealand has arrived.  

The Palliative Care handbook has been a long-term trusted companion for health professionals, providing guidance on what is both safe and expected palliative care practice within a non-specialist (generalist) palliative care setting. It is a handbook suitable for medical, nursing, and wider allied health practitioners who, in addition to their usual area of practice, also assess and make clinical decisions for patients who are deteriorating and require a palliative care approach.

The review was carried out by Dr Warrick Jones, the Medical Director at North Haven Hospice (lead editor) and Clare Randall, CE Arohanui Hospice & Palliative Care Pharmacist Prescriber (lead editor of the Pharmacopeia section). Reviews of other chapters’ content have been carried out by subject matter experts.

New content includes new chapters on caring for the older person and guidance for considering the whole person in palliative care, not just their medical and clinical needs. Another enhancement is the introduction of wairuatanga or spiritual essence, an approach of particular importance for Māori but also to every person receiving palliative care along with their whānau-family. Each chapter includes reflections from a patient or whānau-family "voice”. Content has also been revised to reflect the most up to date use of two-drug combinations in New Zealand health settings.

NOTE:  Due to copyright agreements, the PCH is not available to download and all other use is prohibited including adding the document to an external website. For example, you may not edit the document, redistribute it, or create any further copies or derivative works. If you have any questions or are unsure, please email: [email protected].

View a flip-version below. The Contents is on pages 8-9 where you can click through to a specific chapter:

How to order a copy:

We have a limited number of hard copies so please only order what you need. You can order up to an additional 10 copies.

Hospices: 

Please go to your existing Blue Star account at: https://portal.bluestar.co.nz/login/hospicenz. You will see the PCH as a drop-down option to order more copies. If you do not know your log-in details please contact us at [email protected]

Other palliative care providers:

Please email your details (contact name, organisation name, address and quantity) to Hospice New Zealand [email protected]. We will order on your behalf.      While the handbook itself is free, we ask you cover distribution and postage costs. An invoice will be sent to you following the distribution of additional copies.