A new phone system at Hospice Whanganui is helping create a more connected, reliable and responsive service for patients, whānau and staff.
The upgrade was made possible in part through a $10,000 grant from Four Regions Trust, contributing towards the $14,000 installation of Microsoft Teams Calling.
Introduced as part of Hospice Whanganui’s move towards a shared, integrated service space, the new system is an important piece of the infrastructure supporting the way our team works today.
Why was a new system needed?
Our previous phone system had become increasingly unreliable. For an organisation where patients and whānau need to be able to reach the right person when they need support, dependable communication is essential.
Microsoft Teams Calling provides a more modern and reliable platform, bringing phone and digital communication together and giving staff greater flexibility in how they make, receive and manage calls.
Rather than relying on traditional fixed phones, staff can stay connected more easily across the organisation, with calling integrated into technology they already use every day.
What does this mean for patients and whānau?
While a new phone system might sound like a behind-the-scenes technology upgrade, its real value is in helping our team provide a responsive service.
When someone contacts Hospice Whanganui, they need to know their call can be answered, managed and directed appropriately. A reliable and flexible system helps our staff communicate effectively and supports timely responses to patients and whānau.
In palliative care, where communication, reassurance and responsiveness are so important, staying connected is a small but significant part of delivering compassionate care.
Supporting the way we work
The new system also supports greater flexibility in where and how our staff work, something that has become increasingly important as Hospice Whanganui has moved towards a shared, integrated service space.
Staff received training ahead of the changeover, with the new system going live on 19 July 2026.
The support from Four Regions Trust has therefore helped us do more than replace an ageing phone system. It has helped put in place reliable infrastructure that strengthens communication across Hospice Whanganui and, ultimately, supports the care we provide to our community.
We are incredibly grateful to Four Regions Trust for its $10,000 contribution towards this important upgrade. 💛