What is the Hospice at Home service?
The Hospice at Home Team provides an extension to St.Wilfrids existing services with hands on care and support being offered to those who wished to be nursed at home. The care provided may prevent admission to an inpatient unit, offer respite for carers, manage crisis during an illness or provide end of life care.
The service started in May 2009 and provides qualified and unqualified nursing staff who visits patients at home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is an addition to the advisory and supportive role performed by the Clinical Nurse Specialist Team. The care given is of the same quality expected of all St.Wilfrids Hospice services.
The service is being closely monitored and evaluated to ensure it is meeting its aims.
What service do we provide in addition to the hospice ward and CNS team?
A team of registered nurses and healthcare assistants - all trained and supported by the hospice - providing:
- Hands on specialist and supportive palliative care in the home
- Rapid Response Service
- Support for carers
Increase patient choice in where they are cared for and where they wish to die.
Provide respite visits day and overnight to enable carers to take a break.
Assist in the immediate support and care of patients who wish to be discharged from hospital/hospice to home.
Work collaboratively and in conjunction with all other health, social and voluntary service providers as required.
How Hospice at Home fits in with others in the community.
Hospice at Home works alongside other existing community services. Many of our patients are already supported by community nurses, Intensive Care At Home, community matrons, out of hours services and others. We offer different aspects of care and can either share the care of the patient, provide the total care needs or support other teams as necessary.
How the service is funded
The hospice at home Team is currently funded solely by the hospice although it is hoped that, at some point, there may be some support available from the primary care trust.
