New resources for Hospice EBOP thanks to Trust Horizon funding

Hospice Eastern Bay of Plenty are grateful to receive a $57,800 grant from Trust Horizon, with a focus on enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of palliative care services. The funding has been designed to help secure essential medical equipment for home-based care and to upgrade facility infrastructure. This will reduce environmental impact while improving services for patients and their whānau across the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

This grant has enabled Hospice EBOP to procure four hospital beds, one larger client hospital bed, four air mattresses, two oxygen concentrators, and two nebulisers. These devices are all electrically operated and designed to enhance patient comfort and provide caregivers with improved functionality and ease of use.

"We’re not just a Whakatāne service; we’re a whole Eastern Bay of Plenty service," explained Bryce Sheedy, Chief Executive Officer of Hospice EBOP. He shared that their nurses have been frequently travelling over 16,000km per month to provide care and transport equipment. "This funding allows us to improve access to essential equipment, reducing the need for frequent trips and ensuring timely, high-quality care for our patients."

Toni Owen, Hospice EBOP Board Chair, highlighted the importance of this support: "The funds from Trust Horizon have assisted Hospice EBOP to further advance the four Focus Areas included in our Strategic Plan, which are: Culturally and Clinically Outstanding Care, Integrated and Tailored Service Model, Empowered and Capable Workforce, and Strong Stakeholder Relationships. The Board of Hospice EBOP is extremely grateful for the financial assistance from Trust Horizon to support us in continuously improving the Palliative Care Services we provide to our community."

Fewer trips mean lower emissions, less wear on vehicles, and greater efficiency for hospice staff, allowing them to focus on patient care rather than equipment distribution. "Every little tool we have helps," Sheedy shared. "It’s making the journey more comfortable for our patients and their whānau at a time that is already incredibly challenging."

The grant has also helped to fund electrical infrastructure upgrades at the Whakatāne premises, including the installation of energy-efficient LED lighting and an upgraded AV system for training and operations. "We got new lighting for the office, which is a power-saving move for us," explains Sheedy. "The new training screen means we can branch out to additional training providers, strengthening our team and service delivery." Looking ahead, this grant couldn’t have come at a better time as Hospice EBOP is actively expanding its capacity to meet the demand for support throughout the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

These upgrades align with shared values of both Hospice EBOP and Trust Horizon. As Trust Horizon Trustee Yvonne Boyes explained, "By supporting organisations that demonstrate community leadership, the Trust can help bridge resource and opportunity gaps, addressing community needs across various sectors—including healthcare."

If you want to apply for funding from Trust Horizon, look at our funding page here for more information.