Reasons for admission

 

Symptom Control

Patients may be admitted for symptom control when they are experiencing severe difficulty due to complications associated with their disease or medication, which cannot be managed at home or in hospital. It is not only physical symptoms that may need controlling. For some patients it is the emotional or spiritual response to their illness that is causing them most difficulty. During their stay in the hospice the patient will be assessed and any treatment reviewed until the highest possible degree of symptom control is achieved and the patient is ready to be discharged. A typical length of stay for symptom control is one to two weeks.

 

Planned Respite

This is a planned admission of about one to two to give family members respite from caring for a loved one. The patient will return home on a pre-arranged date.

 

Terminal Care

An admission may be offered to provide care and support in the last few days of life. Priority is given to patients with complex palliative care needs, which cannot be met at home or in an acute hospital. At the end of life, our in-patient teams will do all they can to provide compassionate care to the patient and support to those closest to them.

The length of stay will vary according to the reason for admission.