The 9th Edition of The Palliative Care Handbook is currently under review by Hospice New Zealand, and we have no hard copy books available.
While this review happens, you can download a copy of the current handbook here. Please remember to save your downloaded copy for easy ongoing access.
What to Expect from the new Edition
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. The first edition was in 1996 and since then, the handbook has been regularly revised with the previous 9th edition (2019) revised and published in Australia. Hospice New Zealand is arranging for its content to be extensively revised for the first time, includes guidelines to specifically support the provision of generalist palliative care in New Zealand including updated information on drugs. dated information on drugs.
The review has been 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 has 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”.
The handbook will be published in hard copy and distributed to generalist palliative care providers throughout New Zealand late this year. An electronic copy will also be downlodable from here.
We anticipate the revised 10th Edition; will be available by November 2024. We will advise Hospices, health professionals and health services via our website when the 10th edition is available for order – watch this space!
To download a soft copy of the Palliative Care Handbook (9th Edition), please click here.