Caring Counts

Information and support for people who look after someone who has been diagnosed with a life-limiting disease.

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In-patient check list

Here is a list of suggested items for the patient to bring for their stay the Hospice:

Please note:

All clothes and towels should be marked with your name to avoid loss, as St John's Hospice cannot be held responsible for personal belongings brought into the Hospice. Due to space constraints please arrange for large bags or suitcases to be taken home. We regret that no laundry service is available for patients’ clothes etc.

Spiritual Care

We recognise that all patients, whether they practice their religion or not have spiritual needs. The support of the Chaplain and team may be requested through the nursing staff. We respect all faiths and access to them is available.

Visiting

The care we give here at the Hospice is not confined to the patient. We are also concerned for the welfare of the family and close friends. Consequently the guidelines for visiting are for the benefit of both patients and visitors

Visiting Times

Visitors are welcome every day from 10.00 am to 8.00 pm with a quiet hour from 3.45 pm to 4.45 pm when we ask visitors to leave the ward areas. During this ‘quiet time’ we use an aromatherapy diffuser which helps the patient to relax and staff give essential care only.

Telephones

We are pleased to be able to offer the use of a cordless telephone in the ward area so that family and friends can speak to patients in the comfort of their own beds. There is also a public telephone in reception. Unfortunately we cannot allow mobile phones to be used in the Hospice.

Smoking Policy

Smoking is allowed for patients in a designated area within the Hospice. For the safety of all persons we request that cigarettes, lighters and matches are handed to Nursing staff who will give patients access to them when required. Visitors who may wish to smoke should consult the nursing staff.

Parking

Parking space in the vicinity of the Hospice is limited and to enable access for ambulances and emergency vehicles we request that visitors do not park in front of or on the road leading to the Hospice main entrance.

Day Therapy Service

During your stay or at discharge, you may be advised to attend the Day Therapy unit which offers a range of support services aimed at rehabilitation.

Volunteers

A team of volunteers provides an invaluable support service to the Hospice. Their tasks include reception, kitchen and laundry duties, flower arranging, gardening, driving, maintenance and fundraising. In the ward areas their blue and red tabards can identify them.

Comments or Complaints

If you or your carer have any comment or complaint about any aspect of your care, or the service of the Hospice, please speak to the senior member of staff in charge.

Private Health Care

Private Health Care Insurers are willing to make a donation to the Hospice whilst you are an in-patient with us. To this end it would be helpful if you have Private Health Insurance (not Medicash) if you could let us have a note of your Policy Number and Insurance Company in order for us to receive this generous donation.

Day Care

Attending Day Care

Patients are invited to bring along their main carer/friend for two of their visits to Day Care, usually the first and sixth visit. This enables a two-way “getting to know each other” and establishes a basis for understanding your particular lifestyle at home.

An experienced triage nurse will assess the patients needs at each visit and refer you to the appropriate member of the specialist palliative care team or outside agency as necessary.

Between weekly visits to Day Care, the patient will remain under the care of their General Practitioner (GP) and will need to contact him/her if they are unwell between visits.

Charge for Services

All services are free of charge with a small charge for the hairdressing service. (A limited service only).

Smoking

The hospice has a no smoking policy but a room is available for those patients wishing to smoke.

Comments and Suggestions

Your comments and suggestions are welcomed as we strive to improve our service. If you or your carers have any comments or suggestions about any aspect of your care or the services provided by the Hospice please discuss these with the Out-patient Services Manager or any other member of the Day Care team.

Bereavement

Registering a Death

We hope that the following information will be helpful to you, but please do ask the ward staff or Social Worker, if you need more guidance.

You will need to collect the death certificate from the ward staff and take it to the Registrar's Office, Birkenhead Town Hall in Mortimer Street, just off Hamilton Square. An appointment is now required and you should contact them on 666 3684 or 647 7000. The office is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday. It is useful if you have a copy of the birth certificate and National Health Medical card to take with you, as the following information is needed about the person who has died:-

The Registrar will give you:-

Arranging the funeral

Contact the funeral directors to arrange burial or cremation and give them the form from the Registrar. You can ask any funeral director for an estimated cost in advance of making a commitment to using their services. You may like to consider obtaining more than one estimate, so that you are comfortable and confident with the person you have chosen. They provide a 24 hour service and will come to your home if you are unable to go to their office. They can also arrange for flowers, put a notice in the local paper and, if you require, contact a local minister.

It may be possible to get financial help from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) if you are on a low income or receiving certain benefits. Advice is also available from the Citizens' Advice Bureau, funeral director or Social Worker.

People to inform

(also refer to 'What to do after a death in England and Wales')

  1. DWP. You will need to return any state pension or allowance books to your local office, with the form given to you by the Registry Office. Help and advice concerning benefits is also available should you require it.
  2. Solicitor. It is advisable to contact a solicitor or the Citizens' Advice Bureau if there are any legal issues or questions about the estate. They will also be able to advise you if you need to apply for Probate (if the person who has died has made a will) or for Letters of Administration (if there is no will).
  3. Bank or Building Society. If you have a joint account, this can be used, but the bank would need to be advised. Accounts in the name of the deceased only will be frozen until Probate or Letters of Administration are granted.
  4. Employer and Inland Revenue.
  5. Your own General Practitioner. The Hospice will inform the GP of the person who has died.
  6. School Head Teacher/s (where appropriate).
  7. Insurance Companies. Including motor insurance.
  8. Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.
  9. Gas, Electric, Telephone (if necessary).
  10. Housing Benefit and Council Tax Office.

This is not a definitive list and you may need to contact other people dependent on individual circumstances.

Bereavement Care

The death of a family member or friend can be a devastating experience and may bring about stronger emotions than you have perhaps ever felt before.

Different people react in different ways and even if there has been a long illness there is still a sense of shock when a death occurs. You may experience anger, panic, guilt and sadness. These feelings may be accompanied by periods of restlessness, especially at night when it is difficult to sleep. You may lose your concentration and things may seem to go wrong or you lose confidence in yourself.

Be gentle with yourself. All these are natural reactions to bereavement and are not signs that you cannot cope any more. During this time you may need the support of others. Speaking to someone about how you feel may help you to feel less isolated in your sadness.

This is a difficult time for family and friends who may be afraid to speak about your loved one in case they upset you. You may need to let others know that you want to talk about your loss in order to receive support.

Some people may find it easier to talk about their feelings and worries to someone outside the family. There is help available and some of the resources are listed below. Asking for help can often be difficult but may be of great benefit to you.

Grief is a very individual process, so do not think that you should experience feelings exactly as described by anyone else. What is important is that you allow yourself time to grieve and come to terms with your loss in whatever way is right for you.

The Hospice can help by offering

Donations of Items to the Hospice

Although we are always grateful for donations it is difficult for the Hospice to accept donations of items which are given in memory of loved ones who have died, especially where those items bear a plaque to that effect, and where there is an expectation by the family that the item will be on permanent display.

We appreciate this can be distressing at an already difficult time but such items are impossible for us to accommodate bearing in mind the number of families we serve.

Should a family wish to make a non-cash donation, items such as clinical equipment can be selected from a 'wish list' held in our Fundraising department and these would be gratefully appreciated.

Please contact the Bereavement Service Co-ordinator at the Hospice for further information.

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