What to Expect During Your Stay
Woodlands is the name of our Inpatient Unit. You may be admitted for symptom control, respite care, emotional support or care in the last days of your life. Support will also be provided for your family and friends.
The team can care for up to 19 patients at a time. There are two four-bedded bays, one for men and one for women, a twin room and 9 single rooms mainly with en-suite facilities.
Our team includes Medical Consultants and other highly trained Doctors and Registered Nurses and Healthcare Assistants led by a Lead Nurse. You may meet other members of the Hospice team during your stay. All staff work closely with other health and social care professionals, administrative staff and volunteers to maintain the continuity of your care. The team often train others and there may be visiting students working within the team. The team have access to a broad range of other supportive professionals.
On the day you arrive you will meet members of the team who will undertake an assessment of your needs and will openly discuss with you plans for your treatment. They will not only look at your medical condition but will also be interested in all aspects of your care such as how you have been coping at home and what else can be done to support you and those close to you. We aim to work with you and your family at your pace, to agree a suitable plan of care and to meet every aspect of your needs; this will be reviewed throughout your stay so that we can work with you towards achieving your wishes.
The Hospice can offer many of the procedures that a hospital can; however, we cannot offer the full range of treatments. In some instances it may be more appropriate to transfer you to hospital, but this would only be undertaken with your agreement and following a full discussion and explanation of the reason why.
Examples of such situations could be a surgical operation, radiotherapy or advanced resuscitation. In most instances resuscitation on the ward is not undertaken as it would be inappropriate to offer this to most patients who stay in the Hospice. We DO NOT have a blanket policy for this. If you or your carer have any concerns or questions about this please ask any member of the team. If it was decided that resuscitation were appropriate the Hospice staff would commence basic life support on site and call a 999 ambulance to transfer you to the local hospital for advanced resuscitation, which entails electric shock treatment and ventilation.
The team will discuss as fully as you wish possible changes to your treatment (such as medication) and any tests such as blood tests or x-rays that may be appropriate and help with the planning of your care.
Things to bring in
- Any tablets or medication you are already taking
- Notes from your District Nurse
- Clean nightwear and day clothes if you wish
- Toiletries
- Preferred light refreshments - e.g. juice or sweets
- Personal items to make you feel more at home such as photographs, a keepsake or talisman, a picture or some of your favourite music.
Valuables
Please avoid bringing valuables, credit cards or large amounts of money into the Hospice as we cannot guarantee their safety.
Meal Service
Our Chef is happy to accommodate your nutritional and cultural meal requirements and will speak with you on a daily basis to discuss your needs; but if you wish food to be brought in from home that is absolutely fine.
Meals are served as follows:-
Breakfast - 8.30 am
Morning tea - 11 am
Lunch - 1 pm
Afternoon tea - 3.30 pm
Supper - 5.30 pm
Hot and cold drinks are readily available throughout the day or night and some alcoholic beverages are available on request.
You will have your own wardrobe, bedside cabinet, vanity unit, television and telephone to receive incoming calls. We have a wide selection of Listening Books and a player for you to use if you wish. Public Wi-fi is available in all ward areas.
The Hospice is surrounded by peaceful gardens, including fully disabled and accessible courtyards and walkways. You and your family may well enjoy these areas and the lower grounds provide a fun space for families with young children.
Visitors
Family and friends are welcome to visit at any time during the day or night. Children and family pets are welcome to visit, but please ensure they are closely supervised at all times.
If your relatives wish to stay overnight, we have a number of ‘z beds’ as well as recliner chairs for them. Please discuss this with the Nurse in Charge.
A television, books and games are provided in the Bluebell Room; please ensure children are not left unsupervised at any time. Light refreshments are available during weekdays from the Woodlands Café. For a nominal charge, our Chef is happy to prepare meals for visitors. Please see the menu and pay at Reception.
Laundry
In an emergency we have facilities to launder your clothes. We also have spare night wear if required. Unfortunately, we cannot take responsibility for any loss or damage that may occur.
Smoking
We support a smoke free policy. However, we do recognize that for some patients, smoking is an important part of their day and helps them relax. We therefore provide an outside smoking area for patients in our courtyards. Visitors may smoke outside the gates of the Hospice.