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DCCM provides a nurse led Bereavement Follow-up clinic to the next-of-kin and their families/whanau of patients who have died following a critical illness in the DCCM (ward 82) or the Surgical High Dependency Unit (SurgHDU).
The Bereavement Follow-up Clinic objectives are to:
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Determine how the next-of-kin are coping in early bereavement
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Answer any unanswered questions
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Ensure that the next-of-kin understand why their relative died
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Facilitate resolution of issues by appropriate referral, information or family meeting
Next-of-kin are informed of the Bereavement Follow-up service by a posted information sheet 7 – 14 days after the death.
Next-of-kin are contacted by telephone four to twelve weeks after the death and consent for interview is obtained. A structured telephone interview is undertaken on how the next-of-kin are coping, and about the experience they had during end-of-life care for their relative.
As appropriate, referrals are written, issues addressed and further family meetings arranged with intensivists when required.
The interview is entered into a database for analysis and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
If you have a need to get in touch with us before this time, please telephone the DCCM on 09 307 4949 ext 24800. Ask to speak with the Clinical Charge Nurse. They will ensure your contact details are referred to a member of the Bereavement Team, who will make contact with you as soon as possible. Alternatively you can email the DCCM at DCCMinfo@adhb.govt.nz (with attention Bereavement Team in the subject line) and the Bereavement Team will contact you.
Both the PICU (Paediatric Intensive Care) and the CVICU (Cardiothoracic and Vascular Intensive Care - Ward 48) have bereavement follow up services. These are managed independently to the DCCM service.
Links to these services are below.  
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Ministry of Health
