Patients who would like support from St Richard’s can self refer or be referred by a health care professional.
Patients, or a person close to them, can also speak to a member of our clinical team by calling 01905 763963 for advice and guidance.
Please note, patients are not able to self refer for the In-patient Unit. This must be done by a healthcare professional.
All our services are available free of charge to people registered with a South Worcestershire GP (for example in Worcester, Droitwich, Pershore, Evesham, Malvern, Tewkesbury, Broadway, Martley and surrounding areas).
The St Richard’s In-patient Unit cares for people across Worcestershire including those living in the Wyre Forest, Kidderminster, Redditch and Bromsgrove areas.
How to self refer
- Call us on 01905 763963
- Attend the Wellbeing Café at St Richard’s on a Wednesday between 10.30am and 3pm
- Click to complete our enquiry form, choosing option three
Please note, patients are not able to self refer for our In-patient Unit. This must be done by a healthcare professional.
If you are a healthcare professional
The advice below will support you to refer into our hospice services. Following assessment and discussion with the patient, our specialist teams will ensure the patient receives the right care for their needs.
- The referrer must clearly state the purpose of the referral
- A completed referral form should be emailed to the hospice at the address on the referral form
- If possible, the form should be accompanied by supporting documentation, for example: hospital letters, reports or GP summary, and a list of the patient’s current medication
Please ensure that consent is documented on the referral form. If the patient doesn’t have capacity to consent themselves, please ensure consent has been obtained from the appropriate individual.
We will communicate with other healthcare professionals to support the patient in the most appropriate way.
Urgent referrals
If you require support and advice within 48 hours, including to discuss potential admission to the In-patient Unit, please call us on 01905 763963.
Integrated community services
To refer a person into our Hospice at Home or Living Well Service, please call 01905 763963 or complete a referral form.
Through these services patients can access specialist palliative care nursing support, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and complementary therapy. Medical advice is also available if needs are identified at assessment.
In-patient Unit
A consultant-led unit for patients with complex, specialist palliative care needs including symptom management, and care in the last days of life.
The ability to admit a patient depends on a number of factors, including the availability of beds, and the needs of the patients already under our care.
If appropriate, planning for discharge will be discussed with the patient soon after admission.
To refer a patient to our In-patient Unit, please call 01905 763963 or complete the referral form.
Family Support Services
A multi-disciplinary team who provide support for patients and the people important to them. Support is provided both before and after bereavement.
To refer a person to the Family Support Team, please email the hospice at the address on the referral form.
St Richard’s Family Support
Services, including one-to-one support, is provided to patients and the people important to them who have been supported by St Richard’s. The team support adults and children who are known to St Richard’s palliative care services.
Bereavement Support South Worcestershire
Bereavement support for anyone who has experienced the traumatic or unexpected death of a loved one, for example through suicide or cardiac arrest.
From Tuesday, 1 April:
- support will be offered in a group setting only. Individuals will be assessed for group support and referred for this if appropriate. Self-care strategies may be offered to people in early bereavement.
- a Family Support and Bereavement Referral Line will be open via the main hospice number 01905 763963 Monday to Thursday, 10am to 2pm, to signpost support and guidance.
Click to view Family Support Services referral criteria
Our staff are trained to work therapeutically in pre and post bereavement care. The safety and wellbeing of each individual is paramount. Therefore, it is essential that we work within our skillset and competence as professionals. This safeguards both individuals and professionals.
We are:
- unlikely to support individuals who are actively suicidal, self-harming, or at high risk.
- unlikely to be able to offer support if another external agency is providing therapeutic support, e.g. Mental health
- unlikely to support if clients are actively using substances to cope/manage. This needs to be under control and well managed before we can accept the referral.
- St Richard’s Hospice and Bereavement Support South Worcestershire are unlikely to offer urgent pre and post bereavement support.
If we are not able to offer support we will signpost individuals to other services so they can access the right support at the right time.
We will:
- consider each individual. If it is determined that an individual does not meet the criteria for our service we will we will look at alternative options including signposting, and may on occasion offer a brief intervention if appropriate.
- signpost individuals and health professionals to specialist services, both local and national.
- offer training in pre-and-post bereavement support for external staff by the St Richard’s Learning Team
