We offer free care to adults with an illness that cannot be cured, improving their quality of life from diagnosis, during treatment, and to their last days. We also support family members, and bereaved people.
Most patients will have advanced, progressive disease, where the focus of care will have changed from curative to palliative and prognosis is limited. Some patients with complex needs are referred earlier in their disease journey.
Not everyone with an illness that cannot be cured will need specialist palliative care or hospice services. A demonstrable need for specialist palliative care must be established. In some cases patients will be discharged from the hospice where there is not felt to be a requirement for ongoing support.
Referral is appropriate where:
- Pain or other symptoms are difficult to control despite intervention
- It is difficult to meet the psychological, social and spiritual needs of the patient, family or significant others
- Care in the last days of life where additional support is required
The hospice In-patient Unit is not able to provide rehabilitation facilities, planned respite or long term care.
