Hospice At Home

Information for patients

This service supports patients to stay at home where possible if it is your wish to do so.

We can will support you and your family where you are most comfortable – in your own home, with familiar surroundings during the last weeks of life.

We also provide support and care during a time of crisis to reduce the chance of an unnecessary admission to hospital. 

We can offer interim support on discharge from the hospital or from our inpatient unit, enabling you to return home if appropriate.

Who will provide my care?

Our Hospice at Home experienced healthcare assistants will provide this service in conjunction with other care providers. Your GP and District Nurses will continue to manage and plan your care.

When is it available?

Night sits are available between the hours of 10pm and 8am and will be agreed following referral.

Alternatively short day time visits may be offered if this is more appropriate to your needs.

How can I be referred to Hospice at Home?

Referrals are accepted from any healthcare professional involved in your care. 

In the case of self-referrals we will ask your consent to contact your GP for more information about your condition.

If you are a health care professional you can refer here.

Discharge from the service

This is a short-term service and should your condition stabilize, you may be discharged from the service. However, you can be re-referred if you should need us again.

Information for professionals

This service is provided by a team of experienced healthcare assistants who give practical nursing care and psychological support to patients and their families.

Patient's referral criteria
Patients must have palliative care needs and one of the following must apply:

• Assessed to be in their last weeks of life.
• Require support to facilitate a rapid discharge from hospital or hospice to die at home.
• Requiring support to facilitate a rapid discharge from hospital or hospice to die at home.
• To support the patient whilst awaiting a bed in the Hospice.
• Support the patient whilst awaiting a bed in the Hospice.
  NB. all referrals must be under the care of the District Nursing team. Care management remains the responsibility of the GP and Distric Nursing team.
• Patients must be over the age of 18 and have consented to referral to the service.
• Patients preferred place of care is home

How to Access the Service
If you are a health care professional you can refer here

*Emergency referrals may be received up to 4pm for same day response

Availability
The service offers night sits from 10pm to 8am for patients who meet referral criteria subject to availability.

General Information
A response to the referral is normally given within 24 hours.

Any changes in a patients' needs or situation should be relayed via the Hospice at Home phone number.

Hospice at Home staff will record notes on the electronic patient record (SystmOne).

Making every day count