Inpatient Wards

We currently have 24 beds and two wards, Lourdes and St Michael’s. Many people who stay on these wards will return home after a brief period of medical and nursing support.

Some people come in for a short stay and return home, and some people remain with us for their last few weeks or days and decide with their loved ones that they want to be here.

We provide the highest quality palliative care to our patients whether they are coming in for symptom management for example to manage pain, palliative rehabilitation or end of life care.

All our accommodation is single sex. Lourdes Ward on the second floor has bays that accommodate more than one person, and a number of single rooms. We cannot always promise that a single room will be available, but we will try our best to meet your requirements.

Each room has an ensuite shower, sink and toilet, a bedside locker equipped with a small fridge for drinks, a reading light and televisions are available. If you need help, there is a call button by your bed.

St Michael’s Ward on the first floor has several rooms that are flexible enough to accommodate one or two beds, the remaining are single rooms with en-suite facilities. On both wards there is a focus on communal areas that can be used for dining, families, meetings or therapy. There are sitting rooms and an area for patients to make their own drinks and snacks, making it feel more like a home environment and helping maintain independence for some.

We have Wi-Fi in all areas of the Hospice. Please let us know if you do not have a phone and wish to make a call.

Visitors

We have an open visiting policy (see our leaflet), however, to ensure the dignity, privacy and peace of all our patients, we request that you avoid visiting before 10 am and aim to leave before 9pm. Children are welcomed but must be supervised. We ask that there are no more than 6 people visiting at any one time and only and maximum of two overnight. We have a lovely community hub with a café, seating and children’s activities – we can show you.

We have protected meal times between 12.15pm and 1.15pm when we ask visitors to leave the ward unless you are assisting your loved one with their meal.

If a patient is nearing the end of life, we may be able to offer you accommodation overnight so that you can be with them. Please note that children under 16 are not permitted to stay overnight.

If you have any questions about visiting, please speak to a member of the ward nursing team.

What do I need to bring with me?

Please bring clothes and footwear for during the day as we encourage patients to get dressed if they feel well enough. You will need nightclothes, dressing gown and slippers, toiletries, hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, make up and shaving equipment.

Please bring books or magazines and your mobile phone, laptop or iPad. Please remember to bring any chargers you need. Our electrician will check these before they can be used and you will be responsible for these items.

You can also bring a small amount of money, as we have a café and we also offer some newspapers.

Bring all your medicines, which should be in labelled original boxes, bottles or blister packs and any dressings and medical equipment you use, for example catheters or breathing machines. If you use BIPAP and have a spare machine, please bring it with you.

Please also bring any outpatient appointment letters and transport details so that we can ensure you are still able to attend your appointments.

Please note we do not have the facilities to wash patients clothing.

Is there someone I can speak to if I am worried?

Of course, we’re here to help you so if you have any concerns or worries or concerns about what is happening to you please do not hesitate to speak to a member of staff.

If they are unable to help you themselves, they will endeavour to find someone who can.

Rest assured, you are in safe hands and we will look after you.