Our History
Nelson Tasman Hospice became part of Nelsons history in 1987. This was only one year after Hospice New Zealand was established. In this time, Hospice has been based at four different buildings and has always relied on the support of volunteers and donors.
1987
In 1987, the Nelson Tasman Hospice’s at-home service officially began. Hospice started with the help of two staff, a roster of casual nurses, and eight volunteers based out of Sally McCormack House at 96 Waimea Road. The building was named in honour of Nelson resident Sally McCormack whose bequest supported the establishment of the service. Education sessions took place in the lounge with an open plan kitchen, sharing palliative care practices from around the world.
1999
In 1999, as demand for palliative care grew with the growing population of the Nelson Tasman region. Hospice moved to 1 Erin Street. A momentous moment in Nelsons history, as the move allowed an inpatient unit to be opened. The inpatient unit at Hospice was a short-stay facility for patients requiring hands on palliative care at the nearby Manuka Street Hospital.
2004-2008
In 2004 Nelson Tasman Hospice moved to 2 Erin Street and in 2006 moved again to a house on Manuka Street. In 2008 the inpatient unit at Manuka Street Hospital also grew its services from four beds to 11 with one room retained as an office. The inpatient unit remained housed at the independently owned and operated Manuka Street Hospital until the hospitals service grew and required the space occupied by Hospice.
2015
In 2015, Nelson Tasman Hospice began the search for land and early planning for a new building. The search ended up with a site for the new facility at 331 Suffolk Road in Stoke. This land provided a perfect, central space with beautiful surroundings for Hospice to continue growing their story in Nelson.
The New Home For Hospice
The campaign to build a new local landmark was launched in 2015. This successfully raised $14M for the new Hospice, thanks to the generous support of the community. The build was led by Gibbons Construction and supported with a wide range of Nelson Tasman based sub-contractors. Many of the trades involved made significant contributions of their own to the project, enabling its completion on time and on budget.
2019
In 2019, Nelson Tasman Hospice accomplished its most ambitious project in its 30-year history. We have built a new $11.5 million hospice at Suffolk Road in Stoke thanks to the generous support of the Nelson Tasman community.
The heart of hospice in our region includes a 10-bed specialist palliative care inpatient unit. The building also includes; consulting rooms; spaces for patients and families to gather and relax; Allied Health support services including pastoral care and grief counseling for families and whanau.
In addition the hospice building includes:
- a base for hospice’s significant community outreach service, which includes nurses and allied health staff
- an area for patients to attend a day clinic
- a training centre for our palliative care education team to share their knowledge and experience with other health professionals and carers
- office and meeting space for our staff, including doctors, nurses, health care assistants, physiotherapist, social workers, counselors, chaplain, bereavement support coordinator and administration staff
- a base for hospice’s hundreds of volunteers who provide a wide range of support to hospice’s many services
- an office for fundraising and finance to support the ongoing provision of hospice services free of charge to the Nelson Tasman community
For the first time since 1999 we are all under one roof.
Help Nelson Tasman Hospice maintain its services of providing palliative care and family support to the region’s growing population. This can be done by volunteering, donating, or supporting one of four Hospice Shops.
