It’s all
about
LIVING
There is dignity, care, compassion and quality of life after diagnosis of a serious illness.
We deliver vital healthcare and support services.
The butterfly is the symbol of Hospice and Palliative Care. It symbolizes personal transformation because of the impressive process of metamorphosis it goes through. Butterflies teach us that changes in our lives are inevitable, however, they do not have to be traumatic. The butterfly teaches us to embrace personal transformation and the changes of our environment and body, even though it is difficult.
The butterfly is the symbol of Hospice and Palliative Care. It symbolizes personal transformation because of the impressive process of metamorphosis it goes through. Butterflies teach us that changes in our lives are inevitable; however, they do not have to be traumatic. The butterfly teaches us to embrace personal transformation and the changes of our environment and body, even though it is difficult.
Services
Our basic palliative nursing care is available free to all community members in their homes. We serve Barrydale and the surrounding farms in the Overberg and Klein Karoo.
Palliative Care
Home Nursing & Care
Respite Care
Advanced Wound Care
Care Education & Support
Telehealth
Nursing Care
Bereavement Care
Contact Us
Community Health Programme
Our Community Health Programme uses an integrated approach to provide our rural community with increased access to health, increased health literacy on communicable and noncommunicable diseases and practical learning workshops.
It is a supportive and complementary service to the overburdened public health service. Barrydale Hospice works to strengthen efforts for early detection, prevention, treatment adherence and self management. We provide screening, testing, monitoring and referral. We also deliver deepened health literacy support and practical adaptation workshops for lifestyle change to improve health outcomes.
We go directly to our patients and beneficiaries due to their transport and resource limitations – in underserved locations around Barrydale and the surrounding farms in the Overberg and Klein Karoo.
Our Community
Barrydale Hospice is situated within the rural town of Barrydale in the Western Cape, at the intersection of the Klein Karoo and Overberg. Our services extend to surrounding farms in the Klein Karoo and Overberg. Barrydale is a safe and scenic village offering tranquility, lovely weather and an open-hearted community. It has become a popular place for people wishing to retire.
Barrydale has a population of approximately 6000, and a further 3000 people are spread around the neighbouring farming area.
Historical spatial separation is marked, the stark evidence showing up in the wide socio-economic gap between sectors of the population.
The two sides of Barrydale. During apartheid, the Group Areas Act removed black people from the lower side making it a ‘whites only’ area. Donna Kouter a Barrydale resident said, “The coloured people were chucked behind the hill”. “They called that part, Steek My Weg [hide me away]”.
Source: Times Live/Ashraf Hendricks. Image: GroundUp/Ashraf Hendricks
Our Story
The Barrydale hospice and palliative care services was initiated by Sister Joana van der Merwe and Nola Frazer in 2013, who were responding to bedridden cancer patients in need of palliative care.
Barrydale Hospice is a registered NPO and PBO. Shortly after that, the hospice bought a small complex to house its patients. During the recent Covid lockdown, our hospice provided care packages and nutritional support to families who faced a lack of food security.
Many patients are from marginalised rural communities that live below the poverty line and need palliative care at home, or community-based care initiatives. The hospice provides care, support, bereavement counseling and education through its trained nurses and palliative home carers who care for patients in the comfort of their own homes.
Barrydale Hospice works closely with government and is a member of the Hospice Palliative Care Association of South Africa (HPCA).
How you can support
We welcome volunteers to support our community outreach programmes.