Listen to Hospice CEO Wayne Naylor and Tōtara Hospice CEO Tina McCafferty talk on Nine to Noon .
They discuss why urgent action is needed now to prevent reduction in hospice services and even closures - based on a new report on sustainable funding for hospice services undertaken by the consultancy firm Martin Jenkins.
They call for immediate government investment to support a national funding model to sustain the sector now and for the future.
"The number of people who die in NZ will be about 50,000 in 20 years time. 90% of those will benefit from palliative care.
If we are going to meet this future demand just doing what we do now - not expanding our services to other people who would benefit - that's an enormous increase. The tipping point is now. We've known that for quite some time and our government has not responded"
Tipping Point for Hospice Funding on RNZ Nine to Noon