What happens when you're admitted to the Inpatient Unit?
The Inpatient Unit team meets each morning to discuss admission requests, which may come from our community nurses, GPs or hospital colleagues. We plan admissions based on the urgency and complexity of a patient’s needs. This may mean you have to wait for a few days before a bed is available. We try to respond to urgent requests outside of normal working hours, including over weekends and bank holidays.
In discussion with you, your care will be either consultant or nurse-led, the criteria for each are as follows:
Consultant-led bed:
- Someone needing more intense care to manage physical symptoms and/or emotional, spiritual and social needs that cannot be managed in any other setting.
- Someone likely to need regular review and input from a doctor.
Nurse-led bed:
- Someone approaching the last days to two weeks of life.
- Someone wishing to die in the Hospice.
- Someone not having further life prolonging treatment.
- Someone unlikely to need regular review and input from a doctor.
What should I bring with me?
Please bring all your current medication with you, including any over the counter medications. You will also need to bring in your own toiletries, clothing and nightwear. Unfortunately we can't launder your clothing, so a family member or friend would need to do this for you during your stay.
We want you to feel as comfortable as possible while you're with us, so feel free to bring in photos, books, blankets, etc. to make you feel at home. Your personal property remains your responsibility, so we advise against bringing in valuable items or excess money. Electrical items may be brought in but will require PAT testing during admission.
Food and drink are catered for on site, however you are welcome to bring in favourite snacks and drinks to enjoy. We understand that lots of food may be overwhelming so you may have as much or as little as you like.
What are the visiting hours?
Our visiting hours are open, however we suggest visiting between the hours of 11am-7pm. When someone is unwell, long periods of visiting can be tiring. It is helpful to be mindful of this as family and friends and plan your visits.
If you are visiting between the hours of 8am-6pm, please enter via the main reception to be signed in. If visiting outside of these times please visit the Inpatient Unit out of hours entrance, where you will be let in by a member of staff.
If you have flu like or respiratory symptoms/diarrhoea or vomiting please contact the Nurse in Charge prior to visiting.
On the Inpatient Unit there are facilities for up to two family members to stay overnight with the patient in their room.
Children are welcome to visit but must be supervised by a responsible adult. If you wish for your pet to visit, please discuss this with the nurse in charge.
Is there any parking?
Free parking is available in the hospice car park, which also has some dedicated disabled parking spaces. If our car park is full, you'll find on street parking available on neighbouring roads. Please be respectful of local residents if parking on the road.
How are meals arranged?
Our main kitchen is open from 7:30am-6:30pm. We cater for all dietary requirements and our kitchen staff are happy to meet with you to accommodate requests. Breakfast is from 7:30am, lunch at 12:30pm and evening meal at 5:30pm. Staff will provide hot and cold drinks on request if required.
In our two family lounges, patients and visitors have access to tea and coffee making facilities, microwaves and fridges to store brought in food and drinks.
Our onsite coffee shop is staffed by volunteers and open to visitors from 11am-4pm, offering a selection of sandwiches, salads, soup, cake and hot drinks.
What is the smoking policy?
We ask that everyone who comes to St Peter's Hospice takes note of our smoking policy.
We understand that not being able to smoke when you need to can cause distress. You will be offered nicotine patches, gum or inhalators to support you during your stay with us.
There is a designated smoking area for patients, but please be aware that Inpatient Unit staff are not able to take you there. Our staff have a responsibility to know where you are at all times, so if you do plan to go to the smoking area, please tell them. The smoking area is not accessible at night because the building is secured and alarmed.
Unfortunately we cannot recharge e-cigarettes within the hospice because of the potential fire risk. Please give your e-cigarettes to family members or carers to take home to recharge for you.
We ask that visitors must smoke off site.
What about returning home?
We are not able to provide long term inpatient care, so most patients stay with us for around two weeks. Some people will return home, while others may move to a nursing home for longer term care. Other patients may spend the last days of their life here at St Peter's. Whatever your situation, our team will plan your discharge in full discussion with you and the people closest to you.
