Meet Jan Nichols - Westfield Local Heroes 2021

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Harbour Hospice
Compassionate. Inclusive. Focused

Former oncology nurse Jan Nichols has provided thousands of people with care and support during her 27 years working in the hospice environment.

Jan is the CEO of Harbour Hospice, which was founded by the local community to help people with a life-limiting illness, free of charge.

Hospice cares for 1 in 3 people who die locally. Its aim is to help its patients and their family/whānau make the most of every moment.

In 2020, the caring staff helped over 1200 people with a range of illnesses to have the best quality of life possible, with the help of 1400 volunteers.

Though most people are cared for at home, some patients may stay at a hospice facility to have their symptoms managed, receive intense multi-disciplinary care in the final stages of life or for respite care.

Jan is recognised for the visionary leadership she displayed in 2018 when she managed the unification of three separate service providers under one Harbour Hospice umbrella.

She says the most enjoyable aspect of her job is witnessing lives being transformed by the way people are cared for at the hospice.
Jan feels humbled to be nominated as a Westfield Local Hero. “Hospice is where my most rewarding contributions as a human and professional have taken place,” she says.

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. Harbour Hospice will use its funds to furnish two new bedrooms and a kitchen so family/whānau can stay close to their loved one while they receive in-patient care.

For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here