Our Day Hospice provides patients with vital peer support alongside medical and therapeutic support services.
The Day Hospice supports up to 15 patients each day and is open four days a week, Monday - Thursday. Many patients are not able to use their own transport so a patient minibus service is provided.
Patients have access to symptom control and other specialist medical help from our clinical nurse specialist, as well as our consultant in palliative care, a physiotherapist and our occupational therapist. Patients can call the Day Hospice for clinical support throughout the week. There is an emphasis on healing through creativity in the Day Hospice, with art therapy projects on offer. Patients have a home- made nutritious lunch each day, aromatherapy massage and manicures are available.
The Day Hospice often gives a vital respite day for carers as well as patients – carers have a chance to catch up with their lives.
When patients first attend the Day Hospice they work with staff to identify what they want to achieve in terms of quality of life. Patients attend the Day Hospice once a week, for three months initially; at this point they will have a reassessment to determine whether the Day Hospice is still the best place for them to be.
Accessing Services
Access to either the Day Hospice or the Martlets @ Home service is via referral from the patients GP, District Nurse, the Macmillan Team or other specialist services. As Hospice services are integrated, if a patients care needs change they can be referred on to the Hospice Inpatient unit or to Martlets@ Home.
