Inpatient Unit Admission

IPU Admission criteria

Priority of admission is dependent on the complexity or intensity of the needs of the patient where this cannot be made in their current location.

Where more complex care needs are identified at the time of referral, further information, multi-disciplinary discussion or risk assessments may be required to ensure the Hospice is equipped to meet these appropriately.

Admission prioritised according to priority of need. Response time varies according to IPU workload and capacity.

Healthcare Assistant and Nurse in the Inpatient Unit

IPU Referral process

Routine procedure for arranging admission

Requests for admissions are made by St Peter's Hospice and local hospital palliative care team professionals at a daily conference call, Monday to Friday. Decisions to admit patients who meet the criteria are made by the Hospice MDT at this meeting, based on priority of need. Those who are not admitted are added to a waiting list.

Requests for admission can also be made by healthcare professionals, but not paramedics, outside the conference call by speaking to a senior Hospice medic via the 24 hour clinical advice line on 0117 915 9430. This may include professionals outside the catchment area if patient is moving to the St Peter's Hospice catchment area. If a patient is not known to the Hospice, completion of a referral form will be required.

IPU Discharge

As the Hospice cannot provide long-term care, whenever possible, patients will be discharged back to their usual place of residence with suitable care and equipment in place. Sometimes patients will be discharged to another setting such as a care home if their on-going care needs cannot be met at home. The discharge process must be made clear to the patient and their relatives prior to admission.

IPU Service Description

IPU Admission criteria

IPU Referral process

Routine procedure for arranging admission

IPU Discharge

Referral Forms

General Referral Form