Day Hospice Care

The Day Hospice provides support for up to 15 people Monday - Thursday. Each person has access to a skilled team of professionals. These include a Medical Consultant, a Clinical Nurse Specialist, Physiotherapist, Art Therapist, Occupational Therapist Social Worker, Aromatherapist. A varied programme of activities is also provided in a comfortable and friendly environment.

Who refers patients to the service?

District Nurses, General Practitioners, members of the Macmillan Community Team and the Hospital Macmillan Nurses may refer people directly to the service. All referrals are planned and co-ordinated to provide optimum levels of care.

Services available

Relaxation and visualisation is available for patients in the afternoon. This is often a very effective way for patients to really relax. Art therapy is another valued service available two days during the week. For some people exploring their feelings through talking can be difficult. Art therapy offers an alternative way for people to express what they are thinking or feeling.

Through an appointment system patients can be seen by the Medical Consultant for assessment with follow up and further support from the Clinical Nurse Specialist and the other experienced Registered Nurses in the department. With the patients consent, the team liaise with the wider community teams about the patients. This ensures that patients feel we are working as part of a wider team with our colleagues in the community e.g. GP’s, District Nurses etc.

Patients who attend the day hospice also take an interest in the hospice garden and the garden volunteers have become an important part of the Day Hospice team. A welcome therapy is the opportunity to sit and enjoy the garden and discuss its progress.

Events

In May 2007 the Day Hospice hosted an Art Exhibition as part of the Brighton Fringe Festival. It was titled ‘The Art of Care’ and it displayed a huge collection of patient’s art, both professional and self-expression through activities while attending the Day Hospice. The standard was very high and those who visited were ‘touched and inspired’ by the exhibition.

How much does it cost?

The service is free to patients, as are all the Hospice services. The Martlets Hospice is a registered charity and is continuously dependent upon financial contributions from the local community in order to sustain its services.

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