Inpatient Care

 

About the Inpatient Unit

We admit more than 250 people every year to the 14 beds on our inpatient unit.

Referrals to the inpatient unit come from GPs, hospital specialists, District Nurses and other community professionals - we don't accept patients directly.

Inpatient care

Patients with advanced life-limiting threatening illnesses of any diagnosis may be referred with their consent for:

  • Assessment and review of complex symptoms
  • End-of-life care
  • Short-term care following a hospital discharge before the patient goes home

 

The admission process

All admission requests come via a GP, hospital consultant or hospital, district nurse or community specialist nurse. As you can imagine, our services are very much in demand and we strive to prioritise those with the greatest need. We operate and proactively managed waiting list, which is reviewed daily. Decisions about admissions are made on the basis of individual need.

 

The duration of care

The length of stay will depend on the needs of the individual patient. We are unable to offer long-term care on the in-patient unit and patients will be discharged if and when their needs can be met in another setting. The discharge planning process starts as soon as possible and involves discussions with the patient as well as those people important to them.

However, that's not the end of our care - our nursing teams will continue to provide support to patients, either at home or in a nursing home as and when required. In addition, patients can access other hospice services when required, such as counselling or complementary therapy. In this way, when patients leave the hospice, our care and support continues.

Visiting someone on the inpatient unit

Visiting hours are from 12.30pm to 7.30pm.

The hospice welcomes visitors to the inpatient unit. However, it would be helpful if visitors could consider the following:

  • Where possible please avoid visiting patients in the Hospice in large groups. Where a large group of people would like to visit at the same time, please discuss this in advance with a member of nursing staff as it can impact on the care of our patients.
  • While we always welcome children they must be properly supervised by a family member during their visit.
  • If a patient places his/her own restrictions around visiting, then we ask that these are respected.
  • Please be aware that we have a few ponds containing deep water in the Hospice grounds and so children must be accompanied for safety whilst outside at all times.

 

Visiting after 8pm or staying overnight

We ask visitors to leave by 8pm but recognise that some of our patients are extremely unwell and would benefit from having one or two people stay with them overnight. If your loved one is very poorly and you want to stay later or overnight please discuss this with a member of the nursing team.

If you wish to visit after 8pm please arrange this in advance with the nursing staff.

 

Our nursing team

Read Sarah's Story. Sarah was a Senior Staff Nurse on our Inpatient Unit and is currently working as an Apprentice Advanced Clinical Practitioner.