Health professionals resources

St Joseph's Hospice has a long tradition of volunteering, going back to 1905 when we first opened our doors. Today we have more than 40 different roles and around 600 volunteers, working in different areas of the Hospice and in the community.

Spiritual and pastoral care at St Joseph's Hospice represents a specific and professional discipline.

If you are finding it difficult to talk or swallow because of your illness, our Speech and Language Therapists are on hand to help. They can support you to improve your communication, eating, drinking, and decision-making.

Our team of specialist palliative care social workers help manage the emotional impact and practical problems that affect those with a life-limiting illness, their families and carers. Our Welfare Benefits Service provides support with benefits applications and health related discounts. We provide support at the Hospice and in the community.

Our Respite and Rehabilitation service can offer those with specialist palliative care needs a planned 1-2 week stay following an assessment of need. The teams will work with you, for example enable you to find ways to maintain independence and improve wellbeing.

Maintaining your independence and wellbeing through rehabilitation and exercise can improve your quality of life.

Our Outpatient Clinics provide nursing advice and supportive care for people with life-limiting illness who are mobile, including those still working and able to attend an appointment. You may already be coming to the Hospice for other services so we can tailor appointments that work for you.

Maintaining routine and independence in daily activities can be challenging when you are trying to cope with the symptoms of a life-limiting illness.

Good nutrition and diet are essential for people with a life-limiting illness. Our Hospice dietitian works with inpatients and outpatients, three days a week, to assess, diagnose, and treat any dietary and nutritional problems you may be experiencing.

We currently have two wards, Lourdes and St Michael's, which have 17 beds each. Many patients who stay on these wards will return home after a brief period of medical and nursing help and many will return home following a short period of intervention. We have a large team of professionals who will work with the patient and their family/carer. Some patients become too unwell to be able return home or may choose to die here at the Hospice.

Our light, spacious and comfortable Education Centre is the ideal venue to hold your meeting, conference or event.

Namaste is a support programme designed to improve the quality of life for people living with advanced dementia and their families.

Day Hospice gives people with a life-limiting illness access to a wide range of services. You will come into the Hospice one day a week for 12 weeks to spend the day with other people who are in a similar situation to you.

Emotional distress and worries are not unusual among people affected by life-limiting illness and are an understandable reaction to what can be a painful and challenging experience. Family members and friends, including children, may also be finding things difficult. Our team of experienced counsellors and therapists can help you and your family talk about your situation in a safe and sensitive way.

At St Joseph's Hospice we care for the whole person which means supporting your mental wellbeing as well as your physical needs. Complementary therapies can help you to cope with some of the stresses caused by illness. It can be relaxing and also help relieve some of your symptoms.

Compassionate Neighbours is an award-winning social movement. It is a network of trained local people who offer support to their local community. The project began at St Joseph's in 2014 and today is supporting hundreds of people across ten hospices in London, Essex and Hertfordshire.

Many people with a serious or life-limiting illness prefer to remain in their own home rather than receiving their care at the Hospice.

If you live in Hackney, Tower Hamlets or Newham, and you are currently providing regular unpaid care for a loved one, then this service is for you.

The death of a family member or friend can be painful and distressing. You may need to speak to someone about how you feel and the changes you are facing. At St Joseph's we have a team of highly trained and experienced counsellors who can help.

Specialist Palliative Care (SPC) Community and SPC Inpatient Unit Referral Form

Advanced heart failure external guidance.

A leaflet containing information about whether fluids should be given to a patient at the end of life.

What to expect in the last days of life.

This guide explains what medications you should be giving to patients at the end of life.

New Lateral flow test guidance.