How can I find out more about In-patient care? Expand If you have any further questions you can email [email protected] or telephone the hospice switchboard on 01324 826222 and they will direct your call to the most appropriate member of staff available.
What is your smoking policy? Expand We have a no smoking policy which applies to both the building and the grounds. We can supply nicotine patches to patients where addiction to nicotine is a problem.
Do I need to bring my medication? Expand Yes. Please bring with you all your current medication, your prescription sheet and any other relevant healthcare notes that you have.
Do I have to have cancer to be referred? Expand No. Anyone with any advanced life-limiting illness can be referred. Many people accessing our service do have cancer but others may have a heart, lung, kidney or nervous system disease which has recently become more difficult to treat. If you are unsure whether Hospice in-patient care is for you, please speak to your GP, specialist nurse or other professional involved in your care.
What happens when I am admitted to the In-Patient Unit? Expand On arrival, you will be assessed by a doctor, a nurse and other relevant members of the multi-professional team. You will be admitted under the care of one of the Consultants and either the Heather or Thistle Nursing Team. This allows you and your family to become familiar with one group of staff and to benefit from the continuity of care and treatment provided by that team.
Are there set visiting times? Expand Family and friends are welcome to visit at any time. However, if you are in a multiple bedded room we endeavour to provide some quiet time between 1 and 2pm to enable you to have a short time to rest. We have alternative rooms available for you and your visitors should you choose to meet during this time. We have a very flexible and creative approach to getting the balance right for everyone. We have an indoor activity area for young children and there are electronic games for teens.
Who manages the ward? Expand The ward is managed by our Ward Sister, Susan Bateman, with the support of four Team Leaders who lead the ‘Heather’ and ‘Thistle’ nursing teams in providing patient care. Medical care is provided by a team of Hospice Physicians overseen by four Palliative Medicine Consultants.
What room facilities are available? Expand All of the rooms are furnished in a homely style and have views out to our beautiful surroundings. The multiple bedded rooms have either four or five beds and have easy access to modern, well designed toilets, shower rooms and bathrooms. Each single room has an ensuite toilet/wet room. Additional facilities include a wardrobe, recliner chair, television and Wi-Fi (free). We invite patients to bring photographs or personal items to help them feel more comfortable and personalise their space.
How many wards and beds does the Hospice have? Expand We have one ward with 24 beds. Three rooms have 4/5 beds and there are 11 ensuite single bedrooms.
Why might I be referred for in-patient care? Expand Symptom control To help you manage the effects of your illness such as sickness, breathlessness or anxiety. We can use a range of therapies such as medication, relaxation techniques, physiotherapy and complementary therapies to help control these effectively. Pain Control We want to help reduce your pain as much as possible by optimising pain medications and the use of other comfort measures Rehabilitation We want to work with you to overcome or adapt to the limitations you experience in order to move around, communicate and live more freely. We do this by providing information and advice, identifying additional equipment that can help and getting active support from our Rehabilitation team (Physiotherapy / Occupational Therapy). End of Life Care To maximise your comfort, dignity and respect by relieving distressing symptoms as far as is possible and supporting your families.
Who can make referrals for in-patient care? Expand Referrals can be made by a GP, a Hospital Consultant or a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). Patients using other Hospice services such as Community or Daycare support may be referred internally following a conversation with a member of the Hospice Admissions team.