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Austria

Supporting Voluntary Hospice Work in Austria: cooperation between Hospice Austria and the Austrian Savings Banks Group

The cooperation of the Austrian Savings Banks Association and Hospice Austria started in 2007 on a federal level and was extended to the Austrian provinces in 2008. The Austrian Savings Banks Group supports nationwide training and education of volunteers for hospice and palliative care institutions. Hospice capacity and the qualifications of hospice volunteers in Austria have been significantly enhanced over the past five years. Hospice Austria is the non-profit, independent, national umbrella organisation of about 250 hospice and palliative care institutions in Austria. Its main objectives are the implementation of nationwide hospice and palliative care and the care for long-term financing of these activities. Hospice and palliative care should be accessible and affordable for all who need it. The cooperation of Austrian Savings Banks Group and Hospice Austria was extended to the regional level with a cooperation between regional hospice teams and regional Austrian Savings Banks in 2008. Public awareness is raised by common activities and public relations. Furthermore, the Austrian Savings Banks Group supports nationwide training and education of volunteers in hospice and palliative care institutions. Thanks to this cooperation hospice capacity and the qualifications of hospice volunteers in Austria have been significantly enhanced over the past five years.