Patients, Families and Carers Information

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Contents

Introduction 3

How to find us 3

1. The Services We Provide 4

Hospice in the Home 4

Hospice Day Service 5

In-Patient Ward 6

Counselling & Support Service 7

The Cottage Hospice 8

2. The Workforce 9

Physiotherapists 10

Occupational Therapists 10

Chaplains 11

Wellbeing Therapies 11

Creative Therapies 12

Information and Guidance 12

Volunteers 13

3. Organisational information 14

Comments, Complaints and Feedback 14

Management of Hospice in the Weald 14

Fundraising 15

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Introduction

Hospice in the Weald is the lead provider of palliative and end of life care for the communities of West Kent and North East Sussex.

We aim to provide compassionate, individualised, holistic and supportive care to all patients in our community in the last year of their life, regardless of their diagnosis. Our care includes family and carers.

We are not part of the NHS or any big national charity but are a local charity rooted in the community we serve. Our services are provided free of charge and we are hugely grateful to all those in our community who give time or money to support us.

All the following information and much more is available on our website: www.hospiceintheweald.org.uk. Please ask if you need help to find the specific information you require.

How to find us

Hospice in the WealdMaidstone Road, Pembury, Kent TN2 4TA

Tel 01892 820500

Registered Charity No: 280276 A Company limited by guarantee in England No. 1499846

www.hospiceintheweald.org.uk

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1. The Services We Provide

Hospice in the HomeContact: graham.turner@hospiceintheweald.org.uk

Many of our patients are in their own homes, or in care homes, and this is where they choose to stay and be cared for until the end of their lives.

When you are referred to the Hospice, a team member will contact you by phone and arrange to see you at the Hospice for an appointment. If you are unable to attend for an appointment, arrangements will be made to see you at home. After this first appointment, your care will be planned to meet your individual needs. You can speak to a nurse on the phone; be seen at a Hospice appointment or be seen in your home as frequently as you need. This can range from daily to once every few months.

You and your family/carer will have access to 24-hour telephone support and advice. Telephone: 01892 820515

The Hospice in the Home team:• Advises on medication to relieve physical symptoms, including pain.• Provides emotional and spiritual support• Works closely with your GP, District Nurse and other healthcare

professionals to support you at home• Offers guidance

and support on Advance Care Planning (which includes resuscitation decisions and preferences for your future care).

Robert and Nursing Assistant Alana.

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Hospice Day ServiceContact: kerry.norman@hospiceintheweald.org.uk

Hospice Day Service is open 6 days a week and provides a welcoming and active environment, helping to maintain your independence and empowering you to maintain the best quality of life possible.

You are encouraged to attend Hospice Day Service together with your family or carer to make an individualised plan which meets your needs and hopes. The service is flexible, and you can decide how you would like to use it. You may come for an appointment, attend for a group or stay for as long as you like to enjoy the ambience of the Hospice and its gardens.

There is a variety of groups and therapies available throughout the week. These are outlined in more detail on our website www.hospiceintheweald.org.uk

Hot and cold food and refreshments are available throughout the day.

We ask you to make your own travel arrangements to and from Hospice Day Service. Please ask if you need help with transport.

Colin, a patient in Hospice Day Service, with Lisa and Sarah

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In-patient WardContact: Carolyn.keys@hospiceintheweald.org.uk

There are 15 single rooms on the in-patient ward. All rooms have en-suite shower and toilet, television/DVD player, telephone and fridge.You might need admission to the in-patient ward:• To help control symptoms• To provide emotional and spiritual support• To provide care in the last days of your life• For procedures which need an overnight stay, such as fluid drainage

You will have an allocated nurse day and night. A doctor will review you every day including at the weekend if needed. You might also need or choose to have input from the many other members of the workforce who are available for you on the ward.

We welcome visitors of all ages at any time onto the in-patient ward and you can chose to have someone stay with you overnight if you wish. If you have pets they are welcome to visit too.

Visitors may have a hot meal on the ward or in the Hospice eatery. Light snacks are always available. Please see our website for more information www.hospiceintheweald.org.uk

Nicola, a patient on our Inpatient Ward, with Nadine, a Nursing Assistant

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Counselling & Support ServiceContact: paul.madden@hospiceintheweald.org.uk

Counselling is a talking therapy in which your concerns and feelings can be explored, helping you to find ways to cope with your changing situation.

Counselling is available for you, your family and carers, including children and young people. There is also a variety of support offered in bereavement.

Our counselling workforce are members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and work with individuals (adults and children), couples and groups.

You or your family are welcome to contact the counselling service directly or a referral may be made by one of the hospice team who knows you.

There is more information about the counselling service on our website www.hospiceintheweald.org.uk

Lynne, one of our counsellors in a typical counselling support session.

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The Cottage HospiceContact: libby.hough@hospiceintheweald.org.uk

The Cottage Hospice is being built in 2018 in Five Ashes, East Sussex and will be opening in Spring 2019.

It will be a 10 bedded hospice providing a home from home environment enabling your family care givers to look after you at the end of your life.

For further information, please see the website www.hospiceintheweald.org.uk

Eileen, a patient and Hospice in the Home Clinical Nurse Specialist, Serena.

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2. The Workforce

Hospice in the Weald has a large workforce of staff and volunteers.

All our workforce work across all the Hospice services, so you access support wherever you are – in hospice day service, at a hospice appointment, at home or on the in-patient ward.

If you wish to know more about the role of any member of the workforce, please ask or see our website www.hospiceintheweald.org.uk

Doctors and nursesOur team of doctors and nurses are highly skilled and experienced, working together to provide outstanding Hospice Palliative Care.

The doctors are led by the Medical Director, who is a Consultant in Palliative Medicine and include consultants, specialty doctors and GP trainees. The nurses are led by the Care Director and include nursing assistants, staff nurses, clinical nurse specialists and an advanced nurse practitioner.

Hospice in the Weald Medical Director Helen McGee on the In-Patient Ward

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PhysiotherapistsOur physiotherapists can help with a variety of symptoms, including reduced mobility, tiredness, weakness, shortness of breath and pain. They will use a range of treatments and exercises to improve or maintain your physical functioning, supporting you to live your life to its full potential.

Occupational TherapistsOur occupational therapists encourage you to set realistic goals to maintain your independence. They will support you and your family in adjusting to your changing abilities. They may assist you with managing everyday activities, conserving your energy, getting around indoors, relaxation techniques and coping with tiredness or breathlessness.

They can provide you with information and advice about specialist equipment, such as wheelchairs, and can make recommendations for minor home adaptations.

Raymond, a patient, enjoying the Hospice gardens.

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ChaplainsSpiritual care is an important part of the holistic care that we offer to you and your family or carers. You may have a religious faith to support you or you may find questions of faith and belief more difficult when faced with illness.

The Chaplains are available to discuss any spiritual matters, whether you have a religious faith or not.

You may wish to use the Labyrinth, Quiet Room, Quiet Garden or to join the daily prayer gathering.

Wellbeing Therapies There is a range of wellbeing therapies offered, including:

• Reiki • Reflexology • Aromatherapy • Massage • Manicures • Hairdressing

Norman enjoying a reflexology session

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Creative TherapiesYou do not need to be artistic or musical to benefit and enjoy creative therapies. Our team will work with you and help you and your family to express what matters to you. You may choose to do this one-to-one or join one of our groups.

Some examples of what is on offer include: memory books and boxes, photo collages, art workshops, choir, body percussion and drumming groups.

Information and GuidanceOur information and guidance team can provide you with information about financial support for which you might be eligible. They will assist you to complete forms to apply for various appropriate benefits.

A carer support group is run by the team at the hospice each month.

Victor and Lissie in Hospice Day Service

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VolunteersVolunteers are a major part of the workforce at Hospice in the Weald and are vital members of every service and department. Our volunteers work in a huge variety of roles and often help to provide all the extra services that make Hospice Palliative Care special.

Volunteers give their time freely, which enables even more care to be provided at no extra cost to the charity.

Sue volunteering in our coffee shop.

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3. Organisational information

Comments, Complaints and FeedbackWe aim to achieve excellence in all areas and to provide you with the best possible standards of care. We welcome all comments and feedback about any aspects of our service, so that we can strive to continually improve. You and your relative/carer will be asked to complete a quality feedback questionnaire when you are under our care.

There is also a comments box located in the Hospice reception for patients, carers, families and visitors to make any comments.

Complaints may be registered with any member of Hospice in the Weald staff or volunteer, either in writing or verbally.

Further information about our complaints procedure and our feedback questionnaire can be found on our website www.hospiceintheweald.org.uk

Management of Hospice in the WealdHospice in the Weald is a registered charity established in 1980, is designated as an Independent Hospice and is regulated by the Care Quality Commission. Regular inspections are carried out by the CQC and the latest report is on display and can be viewed on our website at www.hospiceintheweald.org.uk.

The Charity is governed by a body of Trustees. Authority for the day-to-day management of the Charity and its subsidiary companies is delegated to its appointed Chief Executive, supported by the Hospice Leadership Team who have specialist and individual skills. The Trustees meet regularly to review the strategy and performance of the charity and to set objectives, operating plans, budgets and to approve the annual audited accounts.

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FundraisingHospice in the Weald needs to raise over £7 million every year just to sustain our current work. We are not part of the NHS and are reliant on the people who give their money and time to enable the Hospice’s philosophy of care to reach more and more patients.

All of our care is offered free of charge to all patients, families and carers. Every donation, no matter the size, is important in helping us continue to provide our vital services. 5 things you could do to support Hospice in the Weald:1. Sign up online at www.hospiceintheweald.org.uk to join one

of our fundraising events2. Donate to us in memory of a loved one or join us at our annual

Light up a Life Service in December; a chance to reflect and remember someone special

3. Volunteer in one of our Charity Shops, at the Hospice or Cottage Hospice

4. Join our Hospice Lottery for just £2 a week and be in with the chance to win £1,500 or smaller prizes every Friday

5. Set up a £15 regular monthly gift to come automatically to the Hospice providing much needed guaranteed income to help us plan ahead

Hospice in the WealdMaidstone Road, Pembury, Kent TN2 4TA

Tel 01892 820588

@hospiceweald /hospiceintheweald

Registered Charity No: 280276 A Company limited by guarantee in England No. 1499846

www.hospiceintheweald.org.uk

Information for Patients, their Families and Carers Edition 6