St Kentigern Hospice Inpatient Unit is a nurse led facility supported by a palliative care consultant and a general practitioner. There are two Advanced Nurse Practitioners, 14 very experienced staff nurses who all have qualifications in palliative care. There are also 8 extremely capable health care support workers who all have higher NVQ training. There is a palliative care physiotherapist and also there is access to a complimentary therapist from the day unit. Our social worker is available for inpatients as is our family support worker. The unit is supported by a group of chaplains and we aim to be able to provide spiritual care as required.
There are eight single bedrooms, 6 of which have en suite facilities. Meals are prepared on site according to individual preference.
Patients are referred to the inpatient unit by a health care professional. This can be a GP, District Nurse, any member of the community palliative care team and any other medical practitioner. The inpatient unit offers symptom control, continuing care, rehabilitation, respite care and end of life care. Symptom control may be of a physical nature such as alleviating nausea and pain, however we also offer high quality psychological care. Patients may be referred for continuing care from the acute hospital in order that our expertise is used to enable patients to return home.
Our respite bed runs from Monday to Monday on an eight weekly rotation, again patients have to be referred by a health care professional.
Spiritual and Pastoral Care
We recognise that each person is unique and all staff, including administration, ancillary staff and volunteers play a part in creating a welcoming atmosphere in which people are valued and respected. Spiritual care can be an integral part of the total care offered. This care is supported by a team of Chaplains who are available on a regular or on call basis to offer support to patients, families, carers, staff and volunteers. They also facilitate special moments of celebration and remembrance in the patient’s own room, day unit or chapel, as well as providing opportunities for communal worship. Our chapel may be used by patients and their families at any time, for prayer and meditation, or simply quiet rst and reflection.