Te Puka Manaaki Pairuri o Aotearoa – Putanga Tuatahi - The Palliative Care Handbook New Zealand – First Edition

The first edition of The Palliative Care Handbook New Zealand is here.

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 revised handbook provides 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 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”.

Content has also been revised to reflect the most up to date use of two-drug combinations in New Zealand health settings. The handbook will be available both in printed and electronic formats in 2025.

Click here to download a copy of the 9th edition published in 2019.