Hospice Referrals - Who is Eligible and How to Get Referred

Knowing when to ask for hospice support can feel difficult. Families may wonder if it is too soon. GPs and health professionals may be considering whether specialist palliative care would help.

At Hospice in the Weald, a referral is a way to start a conversation. It helps us understand what is happening, what support may be useful, and how we can work alongside the person, their loved ones and the professionals already involved in their care.

Do you need a referral for hospice?

Yes, a referral or request for support is needed so that our team can assess the situation and respond in the right way. However, this does not always have to come from a doctor, nurse or hospital team.

People often ask, do you need a doctor referral for hospice? The answer is no. A GP, consultant, district nurse, specialist nurse, social worker or other health and social care professional can refer, but people can also refer themselves. Someone else can refer a loved one too, as long as consent or a clear best-interest reason is in place.

Patients and families can contact us directly, or speak to their GP, hospital team or community nurse and ask whether a hospice referral would be appropriate.

Who is eligible for hospice care?

Hospice care is for people living with one of many different illnesses, including advanced cancer or another advanced, progressive, life-limiting illness where specialist palliative care may help.

So, what makes you eligible for hospice care? Eligibility is based on needs, diagnosis, illness complexity, location and support required. It is not decided by one symptom or by a strict number of weeks or months.

For access to all Hospice in the Weald services, the person being referred usually needs to be registered with a GP and live within our catchment area, which covers parts of Kent and East Sussex. If you are unsure who is eligible for hospice care, please still get in touch. Our team can talk through the situation and advise.

When are you eligible for hospice care?

Hospice care can be helpful before someone is in the final days or weeks of life, when symptoms, uncertainty or family concerns affect daily life. From the point of diagnosis – the sooner we can help the more help we can offer.

A referral may be helpful when pain, breathlessness, nausea, fatigue or anxiety are harder to manage. It may also help when someone is struggling at home, carers need advice, conversations about future wishes would be useful, or a GP, nurse, or consultant feels specialist input would support the care plan.

For health professionals, earlier referral can give patients and families more time to understand their choices. You do not need to wait until every other option has been tried.

Who is eligible for hospice care at home?

A person may be eligible for hospice care at home if they have a life-limiting illness and need specialist advice or support with symptoms, care planning, decision-making, independence, or emotional and family needs.

It does not replace the GP, district nursing team or emergency services. It adds specialist palliative care input and works alongside the people already involved.

How to get a hospice referral

Health and social care professionals can use the online referral form or call Hospice in the Weald directly. The person being referred should usually know and give consent, unless they cannot do so and the referral is in their best interests.

People looking to access care and support as well as their loved ones can also use the access our care page to request support. If the situation feels urgent, or if you are unsure whether a referral is suitable, phone Hospice in the Weald on 01892 820515.

What happens after a hospice referral?

After a referral is received, the Hospice team reviews the information. Hospice in the Weald aims to assess patients within 14 days of receiving a referral, depending on the person’s situation and level of need.

The next step may be a phone call, an assessment, a conversation with the referrer, or contact with the patient or family. From there, a plan can be shaped around the person. That may include support at home, in-patient care, therapy input, Living Well support, counselling, spiritual care, or advice for carers.

Asking for help

For patients and families, you do not have to wait until things feel unmanageable. For GPs and health professionals, a referral can bring in specialist support while keeping the person’s existing care relationships in place.

If you think Hospice in the Weald may be able to help, please reach out to our team or refer to the options on our Access Our Care page for all the options.