For patients
Caring for patients who have a life limiting illness is our core purpose. We serve our local community of over 190,000 people, and have around 900 referrals to our services every year.
Useful information for patients
Who is eligible for referral to the Hospice?
Anyone over the age of 18 with an active, progressive, advanced disease of any diagnosis can be referred for Hospice support. People are often referred at a time when they are close to the end of active treatment, or simply when they have complex physical, social or psychological symptoms.
Who can make a referral to the Hospice?
Referrals are normally made to the Hospice by a health or social care professional such as your GP, District Nurse or by the Hospital Palliative Care Team.
For some patients self-referral to the Hospice is appropriate (or to have someone else such as a family member do this on your behalf).
What happens next?
Once you have been referred to the Hospice, a clinician will contact you to discuss your referral. We aim to contact you within two working days of your referral being received. Once you have accepted the offer of our care, we will do our very best to support you and those closest to you in every possible way.
Hospice support is provided in addition to the care you may already be receiving from other healthcare services. Your GP will remain your primary contact and will continue to oversee your care.
Ongoing contact with the Hospice
Ongoing support and contact is provided according to your needs. Some people find they do not require any further specialist support from the Hospice and are discharged from our services after a period of care and support. If your circumstances were to change following discharge, you would be able to be referred back to the Hospice.
Weekend and Bank Holiday Advice Line
At weekends and bank holidays, we have a nurse specialist available on the telephone from 9am to 5pm. They will have access to your records and be able to provide advice and support to you and your family.
For support outside of these hours if you have a GP in West Sussex
The End of Life Care Hub is a nurse led, 24 hours a day, telephone coordination service that has been set up for patients in the Coastal West Sussex area and is a collaboration between the Hospices of Coastal West Sussex and the NHS.
Provided that you are registered with the service this will be discussed with you upon referral to St Wilfrid’s Hospice. You will be able to contact the End of Life Care Hub (also known as Echo) and can call the following number:
End of Life Care Hub: ECHO Phone 01903 254789 (option 3)
Email sc-tr.echocws@nhs.net
The Echo service will have access to your records so that they can provide advice and support over the telephone for you or your loved ones. It aims to put you in touch with services that can support patients who may be in the last year of life.
For support outside of these hours if you have a GP in Hampshire
Patients with GPs in Hampshire are able to call us for support. However, after 5pm they are able to contact the Hospice to talk to the ward staff but are advised to contact 111 for assistance if the call is urgent.
Our facilities
Our new Hospice building is in Bosham, near Chichester. We moved into our new building in 2019, and have fantastic new facilities including a 14 bed inpatient ward, which has been furnished to a high standard with specialist equipment to aid your comfort and support independence. You can now get a virtual tour of our new Hospice by clicking here.
Anyone in my situation who has the opportunity to use St Wilfrid’s Hospice should do so. It is nothing like people’s preconceived ideas. You will be surrounded by people who show genuine love and support.”
Kathy
