I NEED HELP

How do I access services at home/who do I call?

The first thing to do is give our office a call on (02) 6672 8459. The office volunteer will direct you to the appropriate person who can help you with any of your questions. To access some services at home you need to be on the palliative care register. To do that ask your GP to send a referral to the palliative care specialist at either Tweed or Murwillumbah hospitals.

Where can I get equipment to help look after my LOVED ONE at home?

Once again give our office a call and we will arrange for our Volunteer Coordinator to come to your house and assess what equipment is needed.
We provide everything from wheelchairs, shower chairs, wheelie walkers, and even hospital beds and electric recliner chairs.

What areas do you work in?

Tweed Palliative Support is based in the Tweed Shire of Northern NSW.

How much is it going to cost?

All services provided by Tweed Palliative Support are free. Equipment is loaned out and delivered free of charge. As we do not receive government funding and raise all of our own funds to purchase and maintain our equipment, we always happily accept donations.

I need help with transport what do I do?

Tweed Palliative Support has a large pool of volunteers who are happy to drive people to and from medical appointments, treatment and shopping.

I want to go out shopping but don't want to leave my loved one home by themselves?

Once again give the office a call and the Volunteer Coordinator can organise a trained volunteer to come and sit with your loved one at home while you go out shopping.

I need some help with cleaning my house?

This is one service that Tweed Palliative Support doesn't provide but we can steer you in the right direction to access home care services.

When my LoVED ONE is coming to the end of their life, what help is available for me at home?

Tweed Palliative Support’s focus has always been on helping to keep people at home as long as possible and when manageable to die there. We work very closely with the Community Nurses, other home care providers and services to keep people at home at the end of their life. If their condition becomes too difficult for you to manage at home, going to Wedgetail for end-of-life care is a great option.

What is Hospice, and what does Hospice care entail?

The Hospice concept originated in the 1800s, in England. It was actually in the 1960s that the modern-day Hospice movement gained momentum through Dame Cicely Saunders, an English Doctor, Nurse, Social Worker and visionary. Dame Cicely’s view on palliative hospice care provided an awakened model of care that recognised a dying person as more than a patient with symptoms that need to be controlled. Hospice care in light of this, encompasses the total wellbeing of a patient and their family, in an effort to provide holistic care ensuring a patient’s ultimate quality of life is achieved, while also supporting their loved ones through the days or weeks prior to death.

How long can people stay at Wedgetail?

As Wedgetail is only a 4-bed facility we can only accommodate people at the end of their life. This usually means the last few weeks of life. This is a decision made by the Nurse Manager and your Doctor as to the appropriateness of the admission.

Is it possible for family to stay at Wedgetail?

Family are always very welcome to stay at Wedgetail. All rooms have comfortable beds and there are a multitude of mattresses for extra family members to use.

What do you do about food at Wedgetail?

We have volunteer cooks 5 days a week and they are happy to prepare whatever our guests would like. If visiting family or friends would like a meal, a nominal fee is charged.

How Much Does It Cost to Stay at Wedgetail?

Staying at Wedgetail is donation-based so whatever you can afford to donate is greatly appreciated. It is important to know that we do not receive government funding and rely solely on donations to cover our running costs which are in excess of $750,000/year.