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Day Hospice aims to
provide supportive care for people with
cancer and other life-threatening
diseases. Referrals can come from any
source and should be supported by the
General Practitioner. Patients are
invited to attend on one day a week and
do so for a variety or reasons - to
relieve isolation and find support, to
give carers a break and for
rehabilitation and symptom
control. Day
Hospice is a relaxed place with a warm
and friendly atmosphere where patients
can find mutual support among group
members, share humour and enjoy the
ordinary human contact that can be so
easily lost with the onset of illness.
The
Day Hospice is open Tuesday to Thursday
and can cater for 14 people daily. We
have a large lounge with a selection of
comfortable chairs and a display of
pictures on loan from Waterloo Galleries
which are changed each month to add
interest to the environment. We have a
dining and crafts room a treatment room
and a chapel. There is a small sitting
room which may be used by smokers. We
have a large garden with a pond, summer
house and a small vegetable patch. All
areas are accessible by wheelchair.
The Day Hospice is staffed by
qualified nurses and a team of trained
volunteers. The team of complementary
therapists offer massage, aromatherapy,
reflexology and Indian Head Massage. A
member of the Chaplaincy team visits Day
Hospice each day and an optional short
service is held. Patients of any
denomination are welcome to attend.
Hand and nail care including manicures
are offered by trained volunteers.
A
doctor is available each day and all
patients will have their symptoms
monitored whilst in day hospice. After
three months, progress will be assessed
and the need for and frequency of
attendance reviewed.
Activities take place such as
quizzes, chair exercises, card / board
games but if the patient prefers they
can sit quietly and talk to fellow
patients or read the paper. We have a
small library of books and audio-tapes.
Outings and entertainment are arranged.
The choice is theirs and staff are
always there to give help and advice
when required.
We
provide a three course lunch, freshly
prepared by our kitchen staff and home
made cake for afternoon tea. Special
dietary needs can be catered for.
Volunteer drivers can provide
transport in their own cars if required. |