Hospice Association of Wits Nursing School

Hospice Association of Wits Nursing School

The Hospice Association of the Witwatersrand was started in September, 1979 by a Johannesburg couple, Stan and Sherley Henen, who first responded to a need in their community for Hospice care. Initially, care was provided by a part-time nurse from their house

Hospice Wits provides care to meet the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of patients and their families facing life-limiting illness. This is done with the aim of achieving the best quality of life for the patient. Our desire is to be involved with the patient from the moment they’re diagnosed, offering love, comfort and emotional support to them and their family.

We have In-patient Units in both Houghton and Diepkloof to provide constant, supervised care to patients who need it. Soweto further houses a paediatic unit for children. Emotional support and bereavement counselling is provided to patients and their families.

Bursaries are available for all courses and workshops offered at HospiceWits.The application forms are available from the CPL/Training Centre

Hospice Association of Wits Nursing School Programmes Offered :

  • Intro to Palliative Care
    1-week intensive-care programme. Costings: R2500.00

    Overview of palliative care including:

    • Introduction to palliative care
    • Communication skills
    • Breaking bad news
    • Ethics genograms
    • Pain control
    • Syringe driver
    • Symptom control
    • Psychosocial and spiritual care
    • The dying process
Short course in Palliative Nursing
8 Month (1 day per week) Short Course in Palliative Nursing (SCPN) – accredited with the Hospice Palliative Care Association (HPCA)Costing: R6 740.00

This course is a combination of theory and practice designed around:

  • Professional nursing practice and palliative care.
  • Basic communication skills
  • Theory and practice of symptom control
  • Theory and practice of psychological, social, spiritual and supportive care
The Carer at Home
3 Morning Course for the Carer at Home Costings: R550.00

The course is a specially designed workshop runs over 3 mornings and is focused on the practical tasks of looking after a loved one or patient needing basic care giving at home.

  • The workshop focuses on 2 main aspects, setting up the home environment and looking after the loved one/patient at home.
  • Looking after the patient will include bed making, bed bathing, care of pressure parts, sitting in a chair and other practical tasks. Introduction to palliative care
Physical Assessment Course
5-Day Physical Assessment Course Costings: R2500.00

This course will enable:

  • An understanding of physical assessment fundamentals
  • Definition of the physical assessment of the patient
  • Comprehension of the need for assessments of the patient
  • Competency in performing a physical assessment
  • Correct recording of records and data resulting from an assessment
  • Competency and correct use of anatomical landmarks to describe the site of the patient’s signs and symptoms.
HIV / AIDS
Two-day HIV/AIDS workshop. A workshop on palliative care in HIV/AIDS incorporating comprehensive medical and psychosocial management of advanced-stage AIDS. The workshop includes:

  • Management of pain and symptoms related to HIV/AIDS
  • Effective communication skills
  • An understanding of grief and loss
  • Management of challenges related to advanced HIV/AIDS including ART, resistance, drug interactions and treatment failure
Breaking Bad News
Provides the skills required to break bad news effectively and appropriately.The course covers:

  • Increased knowledge of Robert Buckman’s six-step protocol to break bad news
  • Greater skill in applying the six-steps through the use of role-playing exercises
  • Understanding the importance of breaking bad news sensitively
  • The ability to manage a person in denial
Pain Control
The workshop covers the different types and causes of pain, how to do a thorough pain assessment with the use of pain rating scales and how to use the WHO ladder. The workshop also dispels some of the common myths and misconceptions around the use of opioid drugs.

Caregiving / Bereavement counselling

Volunteer Caregiver Counselling
11-Week Volunteer Caregiver Counselling Workshop One day per week. Includes the following:

  • Caregiving
  • Basic counselling skills
  • Understanding grief, loss, bereavement and enhanced self-awareness
Grief, Loss and Bereavement Workshop
2,5- Day Grief, Loss and Bereavement Workshop Costings: R1500.00

Enhanced knowledge and skills in the field of grief, loss and bereavement covering:

  • Enhanced understanding of the Hospice philosophy of care
  • Enhanced awareness of self
  • Insight into the experiences of the dying and the bereaved
  • Conceptualisation of death and dying
  • Greater understanding of mourning and bereavement
  • Learn and practice interpersonal skills related to the field of grief, loss and bereavement
IPU Receptionist/Admin Volunteer Workshop
2-Day IPU Receptionist/Admin Volunteer Workshop Costings: R1100.00

This workshop is designed to enhance skills to assist the Nurses, Doctors and Administration staff members in the In-Patient Unit.

  • Enhanced understanding of the Hospice philosophy of care
  • Greater understanding of mourning and bereavement
  • Learn and practice basic interpersonal skills related to the field of grief, loss and bereavement
  • To develop an understanding of palliative care definition of care
  • To facilitate and enhance awareness of self
  • Assist Patients and Patient families who come to the unit
  • Assist the Nurses and Doctors who look after the patients

Hospice Association of Wits Nursing School Contact Details :

Houghton Tell Number :011 483 9100 

Soweto Tell Number: 011 983 7400

Email address: info@hospicewits.co.za

Website: hospicewits.co.za