Peter’s Story: Finding Comfort and Care with Nelson Tasman Hospice

When Peter first heard the word “hospice,” it brought back painful memories. Years ago, his partner, Tony, was cared for at hospice in Blenheim before passing away from bowel cancer only a few weeks after being diagnosed. “It was my first experience with hospice,” Peter recalls. “Back then, I thought it was just a place for people at the very end of their lives.”

When Peter himself needed hospice care, he wasn’t sure what to expect. Living with a fractured hip and other health challenges, Peter found himself overwhelmed. That’s when the team at Nelson Tasman Hospice stepped in, transforming his perception of what hospice care truly means.

Peter was admitted to the service in September last year and hospice have helped coordinate his treatment since then, supporting Peter at home and working together with his GP, and the team at Nelson Hospital.

Upon coming home after a week-long radiation therapy in Christchurch in December, the hospice team provided a seamless transition to a short stay at the Specialist Palliative Care Unit (SPCU) at the Hospice Hub in Suffolk Road over Christmas & New Years. Nurses and doctors managed his pain, adjusted his medications, and checked in regularly to ensure he was comfortable and supported.

“I couldn’t have managed without them,” Peter admits. “The home visits, the equipment they provided—like the hospital bed I now have—and even just having someone to talk to, it all makes such a difference.”

The hospice staff’s compassion struck Peter deeply. He appreciated the time they took to sit with him, not just to discuss medical issues but to share stories and connect on a personal level. “It’s not like being in a hospital, where the nurses are great, but they are so busy they only have a few minutes to spare,” Peter says. “At the hospice, they treat you like a person, not just a patient.”

Even small gestures left lasting impressions, like the delicious meals he enjoyed during his stay in the hospice’s inpatient unit. “The care and thought they put into everything made me feel human again.”

Once the team at hospice had made sure Peter, and his partner Bruce, were ready, Peter was able to go home again and the team at hospice made sure this transition was again seamless.

Peter recalls a time recently when he wasn’t sure whether to reach out to the hospice for help. He’d been struggling with pain in his leg, and he and Bruce were unsure if it warranted a call. Thankfully, they decided to ring hospice and community nurse Michelle, reassured them that they’d made the right decision.

“She said, ‘You absolutely did the right thing by calling,’” Peter remembers. “That reassurance made all the difference. I realised that hospice is there for you, no matter the time or situation.”

Hospice care has given Peter the ability to focus on the things that bring him joy, like tending to his garden and spending time with loved ones. “There’s no place like home,” he says. “And thanks to the hospice, I can stay here and enjoy the things that matter most.”

But Peter also knows the challenges the hospice faces. Each year, Nelson Tasman Hospice faces a $4 million funding shortfall to ensure their services remain free for patients like Peter. The hospice cares for around 210 people each month, providing not just medical care but also emotional and practical support for patients and their families.

“They always go above and beyond,” Peter says. “Without their care, I don’t know where I’d be. Hospice isn’t just for the end—it’s for living well, even when things are tough.”

Peter wants others to know that hospice is not something to fear. “Don’t be scared of hospice,” Peter says. “It’s not what you think it is. It’s a place of kindness and hope. And one day, you or someone you love might need it.”

Your donation ensures that Nelson Tasman Hospice can continue to provide care, comfort, and dignity to people like Peter and their families.

Please give generously today. With your support, we can ensure that everyone in our community continues to have access to this essential service, whenever they need it. Donate Funds – Nelson Tasman Hospice