Social Care

Our Social Worker contributes to our patient-focused approach to care.

The aim is to provide emotional, practical, financial and social support for patients as well as their families and carers. This may include information on how health and social care is funded (including personal healthcare budgets/direct payments), residential/nursing home care, community activities and welfare rights.

It provides the opportunity for discussion of any concerns that the patients or carers may have and to support them to make informed decisions and choices about the care and support they may need.  For example, it may involve suggesting resources and services to help adults in supporting children where someone close to them has died or has been diagnosed with a life limiting illness.

They work collaboratively with other our other services, including our Inpatient Unit, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Complementary Therapists, Counselling and Emotional Wellbeing, Hospice at Home and Volunteer services. They will also liaise with other providers of care such as the Community Macmillan Team, District Nurses and other care agencies.

Our social worker can offer:

• Practical support, information, advice and signposting to other services
• Signposting for financial and legal issues; e.g. Lasting Power of Attorney, making a Will
• Links to other external agencies for example, local authority social care, advocacy
• Support patients and carers with benefit enquiries and blue badge applications
• Support in funeral planning
• Assistance to families with challenging situations; for example, talking about illness to their children
• Emotional support and signposting to our Counselling and Emotional Wellbeing and our Spiritual Care team
• Advocacy support for the needs, decisions and rights of patients in palliative and end of life care in connection with the Care Act 2014.
• Consultancy and advice regarding any safeguarding concerns
• Providing support to other hospice staff

Making every day count