The need for a palliative and respite care facility in the Upper Clutha was identified by several Wanaka residents, most of whom have had direct experience with dealing with cancer or other life-threatening illnesses.
The group, instigated by Wanaka couple Bev and Ray Rudkin, has formed the Upper Clutha Hospice Trust to explore the possibility of, and if feasible develop, a hospice in Wanaka, and to raise funds for the project.
The first trustees are Mr Rudkin, Neville Dippie, Margaret Hay and Russell McGeorge, who is the chairman of Central Otago Health Services.
Mr McGeorge said the main drivers of the project were the growing number of people aged 65 years or older in the Upper Clutha district and Wanaka's remoteness from other facilities.
The nearest facilities are a single palliative care suite at Dunstan Hospital and the Otago Community Hospice in Dunedin.
The trustees have developed a preliminary concept for a two-bed hospice, using the facilities, skills and experience of interested groups in the Upper Clutha, including retirement village operators, GPs and Dunstan Hospital.
Various locations are being considered for the hospice beds, including the Aspiring Lifestyle Retirement Village's proposed hospital/care facility, which already has consent.
Mr McGeorge said Dunstan Hospital was seeking to increase its presence in Wanaka to match the population growth, and it was possible the hospice facilities could be co-located with a future hospital base somewhere in the town.
Fundraising activities have begun to gather the necessary capital for the hospice facility, although its cost has not yet been determined.
The owners of Wanaka Self Storage have offered the premises previously occupied by second-hand clothing store ''Serendipity'' in Ballantyne Rd to the trust as a hospice shop, which is expected to open in mid-June.
