HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

Wedgetail Retreat is a hospice in Dulguigan owned and operated by Tweed Palliative Support Inc. (TPS). Operating in Tweed Shire and surrounding areas since 1998, TPS is a non-profit registered charity.

The care team at Wedgetail Retreat is led by dedicated Palliative Care Registered Nurses who aim to create a home-like environment while delivering compassionate and professional care. All patients being admitted to Wedgetail Retreat must have a medication chart with pre-emptive orders for potential deterioration completed by their pre-admission General Practitioner (GP).

We prioritise end-of-life care but also cater to those on the Palliative Care Register who need respite. There are four beds at Wedgetail Retreat and the number of guests varies at any given time.

We work closely with the NSW Health Specialist Palliative Care Team and we have the invaluable support of the Palliative Care Staff Specialist and Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner from the Local Health District.  The Staff Specialist can be consulted on any patient with complex care needs.

You are welcome to continue overseeing your patient’s care at Wedgetail Retreat or you can handover to the Hospice GP and our team.

Referring a Patient to Wedgetail Retreat Hospice

Referrals can be made by healthcare professionals, including GP, specialist doctors, community agencies and/or allied health. A referral must be received before accepting an admission. Referrals are triaged by the Hospice Management Team.

Key indicators that influence priority admissions for Respite or End-of-Life Care

Respite Admission (deeNote these are all tab in on website did not format when converted):

·      Diagnosis of a life-limiting illness

·      The patient and/or their caregiver are experiencing existential distress

·      The patient’s caregiver is burnt out and requires respite

·      The patient must have a confirmed discharge destination post-admission

·      A respite admission is for 1 or 2 weeks depending on the circumstances.  Respite at Wedgetail is not to be used to support Aged Care placement issues/limitations.

End-of-Life Admission:

·      The patient's prognosis is 6 weeks or less

·      The patient and/or caregiver are no longer coping at home

·      The patient does not wish to die at home or in the hospital

Barriers to Admission (Patients who will not be accepted for admission):

·      Combative patients

·      Cognitively impaired patients

·      Bariatric patients

·      Patients who have the potential to wander or have a mental health condition where one Registered Nurse cannot safely facilitate holistic care to all the other patients in our care

 If you have concerns or questions regarding these parameters, please contact our Charge RN  on (02) 6672 8161

Before a Hospice admission, we encourage families to have discussions regarding end-of-life care so that we can assess what is most important for their loved ones

These discussions should include information on:

·      Will and Executor of the Will

·       An Advanced Care Directive for end-of-life wishes, such as a Not-For-Resuscitation Order

·       Funeral arrangements

·       Spiritual requirements

·       Information on Enduring Power of Attorney and/or nominated Health Guardians