Access to services for terminally ill patients
The Palliative Care Programme reduces the cost barriers for patients to access services during the terminal phase of their disease. The programme covers subsidised medical and nursing care and subsidised palliative care medications. It does not cover a surgery’s administration or mileage fees.
Funding for each patient is limited to $700 funding or a period of six months – whichever occurs sooner. This cap can be reached early, especially if non-subsidised drugs are prescribed.
Patients are eligible for this programme if they:
- Are enrolled patients of Health Rotorua PHO, and
- Have a life expectancy of six months or less (a three-month extension may be granted upon application), and
- Have need of acute symptom control, and/or
- Have acute psychological/spiritual/existential needs.
Details of funding
Medical and nursing care
- Up to $75 for a home visit by a doctor
- Up to $40 for a home visit by a nurse
- Up to $50 for patient visits to General Practice for palliative care
Palliative care medications
- Pharmacies are able to invoice Rotorua Area Primary Health Services (RAPHS) directly for the drug costs for registered palliative care patients
- Palliative care patients’ regular medications are not normally covered by the programme
For more information contact RGPG Business Services Team.
RAPHS implements this programme on behalf of Health Rotorua with Services to Improve Access (SIA) funding. This type of funding is made available to reduce inequalities among populations that are known to have the worst health status: Maori, Pacific people and those living in NZ Dep index 9-10 decile areas. The funding is for new services or improved access.