People and Places
27/03/2024
Bringing comfort and dignity home
by Mornington Peninsula Magazine

When you think of Main St in Mornington, you probably think of bustling cafes, restaurants and retail shops. What you may not know is that it’s also home to an organisation whose name you may not be familiar with, but whose roots have been firmly planted in the soil of community compassion and unwavering support for the past 40 years.

Clinical manager of allied health Inge McGinn, clinical manager of nursing Julie Murphy, and counsellor/caseworker Daniel Shaw.

Peninsula Home Hospice began as a volunteer-driven initiative in 1984 – having started in a dilapidated three-bedroom house in Frankston – that aimed to support individuals facing life-limiting illnesses in their own homes. Over the years it has grown into a fully accredited specialist community palliative care service, offering round-the-clock medical, nursing, counselling, and therapeutic support.

Over its 40-year journey, Peninsula Home Hospice has achieved remarkable milestones, growing from supporting 155 clients annually to now assisting 800 clients and 1000 bereaved individuals yearly. From humble beginnings, including a crucial partnership with Royal District Nursing Service for 24-hour care, Peninsula Home Hospice has flourished into an independent health service. Accreditation by the Australian Council of Healthcare Standards in 1997 heralded a new era of recognition, validating Peninsula Home Hospice’s commitment to quality care and best practices.

In 2010, it changed its name from Peninsula Hospice Service to Peninsula Home Hospice, which signalled a broader scope and reach and reflected the organisation’s growing influence and impact. The acquisition of the headquarters on Main St in 2015 marked a significant achievement, facilitating improved productivity and service growth.

Led by seven different dedicated CEOs over the decades, Peninsula Home Hospice has continued to innovate and collaborate. It’s currently under the guidance of CEO Janet Phillips, who brings a wealth of knowledge and her own personal experience as a specialist palliative care nurse. She has instigated many changes and projects that have improved the service model, including the GP Special Interest program, RACF Pilot Project and a joint venture with Monash University.

Central to Peninsula Home Hospice’s success has been its partnership with the Red Hill Op Shop, a collaboration rooted in shared values and a common goal of community support, having opened originally to raise funds to support a person wanting to die at home. The op shop has been a steadfast supporter, raising more than $1.2 million for Peninsula Home Hospice over the years.

While government funding covers a significant portion of Peninsula Home Hospice’s expenses, fundraising events and donations play a crucial role in bridging the gap and enhancing the organisation’s services. This additional money enables Peninsula Home Hospice to provide tailored support to meet individual client needs, whether it’s funding overnight nursing care or offering bereavement support. Every donation contributes to enriching the lives of Peninsula Home Hospice’s clients, ensuring they receive the care and support they deserve during life’s most challenging moments.

As Peninsula Home Hospice looks to the future, the vision remains steadfast: to live well and die well. Through innovation, collaboration and a commitment to excellence, Peninsula Home Hospice aims to continue its mission of providing compassionate care from diagnosis to bereavement, fostering meaningful partnerships and embracing cultural inclusivity.

Forty years on, it remains a beacon of hope and compassion, illuminating the path for those facing life’s final journey and ensuring that no one walks it alone.

To contact Peninsula Home Hospice, phone 5973 2400.