Why have I been referred to Hospice in the Weald?

Your GP, your hospital doctor, or your District Nurse has referred you to Hospice in the Weald so that you, your family and your carers can benefit from our expertise to improve your quality of life, address any symptoms you may have and be supported during your illness.

 

Where does my GP fit into this?

Your GP is ‘in charge' of your care at home even if the Hospice is involved. Hospice in the Weald's clinical team work very closely with your GP and always talk to your GP about any changes in your medication, as he/she remains responsible for writing prescriptions.

 

Do Hospice in the Weald Clinical Nurse Specialists take over from the District Nurse?

No. The District Nurse will continue to be involved with your nursing care, and will work with the Clinical Nurse Specialists to provide the best all-round care for you and your family. The Clinical Nurse Specialists focus on symptom control, support and advice.

 

Will I be able to come to Hospice in the Weald as an in-patient if I need to?

We will do everything we can to make sure a bed is available for you if it is appropriate. However, if there are no beds available there may be a delay of a few days. If this is the case, then your Clinical Nurse Specialist will talk to you about arranging extra help at home until a bed becomes available.

 

How long can I stay at the Hospice?

We aim to offer individualised treatment and as such there is no set length of stay at the Hospice. However we are not a long-stay unit and cannot offer longer term care for those who need it. The majority of in-patients stay less than 2 weeks, but we plan discharges very carefully alongside the patient and their families and carers, ensuring all care and equipment needed is in place before discharging anyone home. Often admission to the Hospice comes at a time when patients are needing much more help at home and after discussion some in-patients will be discharged to a nursing home.

 

I have an Advanced Decision to Refuse Treatment / Living Will who should I tell?

This should be discussed with a clinical member of Hospice staff, for example, your Clinical Nurse Specialist or a nurse on the In-Patient Unit. They will ask to see a copy of this Advanced Decision to Refuse Treatment and may want to put a copy of it in your Hospice notes. This ensures your wishes are known to the appropriate people.

If you would like to consider making an Advanced Decision to Refuse Treatment (also known as Living Will) the forms you require can be downloaded from this website or obtained from a member of Hospice clinical staff.

 

What facilities does the Hospice have for resuscitation?

For most patients that come to Hospice in the Weald, Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) would not be appropriate due to the advanced nature of their illness. Staff would normally discuss this with you and your relatives or carers if you give them permission to do so.

For some patient however, it might be right to consider CPR. In these situations the doctor or nurse will discuss this with you and help you decide what you would like to happen. If you are too ill to make a decision, the doctors and nurses are ethically bound to make the decision for you. Your relatives can be involved in this discussion but cannot make up your mind for you. Provision of treatment will always be subject to the approval of the clinical team.

You are welcome to see a copy of Hospice in the Weald's policy on resuscitation or to discuss our approach to treatment with a member of the staff if you have any concerns.

 

What happens if my condition settles down?

If your condition stabilises and specialist palliative care services are no longer appropriate, you would be discharged from our services. This would be fully discussed with you in advance. It is however, very easy for the Hospice to become involved again if the need arises.

 

What do I need to bring in with me?

You will need to bring your nightwear, toiletries (soaps, toothbrush, toothpaste etc) and anything that you may wish to read, write and listen to whilst you are here.

 

What are the visiting times?

The In-Patient Unit does not have set visiting times. We do ask that any visitors wishing to arrive before 8am and after 8pm contact the ward as the main reception area is likely to be closed.

 

Can children visit?

Yes, children can visit but must be supervised at all times. We do ask parents of younger children to consider the other patients and perhaps take their child/children out into reception if they are being particularly noisy or boisterous.

 

Can my relative stay overnight with me?

We do have two overnight stay rooms for patients’ visitors. These are usually used for those who are particularly unwell and perhaps in the last few days of life. If you feel you need to stay please speak to one of the Nurses.

 

Who will I see during my admission?

You will be assessed by a Doctor and Nurse on your admission that will plan your care with you. Other members of the multidisciplinary team may also be involved with this and include the Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, Counselling Team, Chaplain or Complementary Therapist. Your care will be reviewed regularly by the nurses and doctors including the Consultant.

 

Can my dog visit me?

Dogs are welcome but must be kept on their leads and under control. If you have a different kind of pet that you feel it is important for you to see this may also be possible. Please ask to speak with the Nurse in charge.

 

How do I raise any comments or concerns about the service provided?

Hospice in the Weald aims to achieve excellence in all areas and provide the best possible standards of care in meeting the needs of patients, their families and carers. We will investigate fully any matters of concern which are raised by our patients and their families.

All matters raised should in the first instance, be referred to the relevant nursing, medical or support staff either verbally or in writing. In the event that a particular matter needs further action, or you consider that the response received is inadequate, a written notice should be addressed to the Medical Director and copied to the Chief Executive.

An acknowledgement of the receipt of a complaint will be sent within two working days. A formal written response from the senior member of staff charged with investigating the complaint will be sent within 20 working days. If it is not possible to respond within 20 working days, an interim response will be sent informing the complainant of the progress that has been made.

 

In the unlikely event that the reply has not been forthcoming or dealt with adequately in the opinion of the patient or their family, the matter may be referred to:

Care Quality Commission, Finsbury Tower, 103-105 Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 8TG

Telephone 020 7448 9200,

e-mail enquiries@cqc.org.uk

website www.cqc.org.uk

 

Copies of our Care Quality Commission Inspection Reports are available on request from the Director of Nursing/Registered Manager.