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Philosophy and Core Care Standards
We believe in offering a safe, caring, accepting environment
in which specialist palliative care enhances our patients’
well-being and that of their informal carers. The Hospice
team recognises
the individuality of each patient and aims to assess and address
the patient’s total well-being.
It is accepted that the majority of patients referred to the
Hospice experience some common symptoms and conditions such
as fatigue, reduced independence, emotional distress etc.
Inherent in hospice nursing care is the understanding that
help and support to address these and other needs is given.
To this end several core standards of care have been formulated
and ratified by the
Hospice Management.
The core nursing standards are:
• nurses maintain the patient’s confidentially rights
• the patient’s personal hygiene is maintained in
accordance with their needs and safe practice
• an environment is provided in which patients are given
the opportunity to express, explore and address
their concerns/distress
• each patient has their nutritional needs assessed and
addressed
• the patient is provided with the information they seek
relating to diagnosis and progress of their disease,
care options and support services, enabling them to make informed
choices
• each patient has their elimination needs assessed and
addressed.
These core standards are included in the patient care plans
only if the patient/nurse assesses
them as needing particular attention. All the Hospice nursing
care is given in accordance with
The United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing (the governing
body for nursing in the UK)
standards and guidelines.
Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation
The Hospice does not have the facilities nor resources necessary
to undertake advanced
cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. However, in emergencies, all
other appropriate measures
will be taken.
Named Nurse
The in-patient team utilises a system of ‘named nursing’
whereby each patient on admission is allocated a qualified
nurse to be their key worker. This nurse, in consultation
with the patient and
their relatives, devises the patient’s nursing care plan
and is responsible for ensuring that his/her team colleagues
follow that plan. He/she have designated deputies who are
responsible for ensuring that the care plan is followed when
he/she is not on duty.
The ‘named nurse’ system aims to:
• maintain our philosophy of the patient as the primary
focus of care
• improve continuity of care to the patient
• improve nursing standards
• develop an individualised service for ‘you’,
the patient.
The ward manager is the Ward Co-ordinator and is available
to discuss any problems the named nurse is unable to resolve.
Bed-Side Handovers
During your hospice stay, the nursing staff will need to be
aware of information about your condition and treatment to
enable them to deliver the care you need. Nursing staff will
receive such information about your care at the beginning
of their span of duty. This exchange of information is known
as ‘handover’. To allow patients the opportunity
to express their opinions about the level of care they need
or the treatment they have received, the nursing staff will
hand over information about their care at the bed-side. Patients
will be invited to participate in these handovers.
Handovers will take place at approximately:
• 7.30 - 7.45 am.
• 1.30 - 2.00 pm.
• 8.45 - 9.00 pm.
Wherever possible, visitors are requested to avoid visiting
during these times, except in special circumstances or at
the discretion of the nurse in charge.
Should you not wish to be involved in bed-side handovers,
please inform a member of your
nursing team.
Confidentiality
In planning your care, the ward team may need to take account
of confidential information. Please be assured that such confidential
information will only be shared between team members on a
‘need to know’ basis. In other words, no confidential
information disclosed by you or your family will be given
to any other member of the Hospice team unless it has a direct
bearing on your care.
Meal Times
Breakfast:
Continential style breakfast is available until 11 am. The
option of a cooked breakfast is available
from 8.30 am.
Lunch and Evening Meals:
A member of the catering staff will visit each patient individually
to offer a choice of menu.
Every effort is made to cater for patients’ preferences
and dietary needs. Lunch will be served
at midday. The evening meal will be served at 5.30 pm. Snacks
and beverages are available for patients at any time.
Visiting
There are no fixed visiting times.
However, the nursing team would appreciate relatives and friends
considering the following:
• avoid morning visits if possible as this is when the
majority of patient care is carried out
• visiting during mealtimes is generally discouraged
so that patients can enjoy their meals
without disturbance.
In special circumstances, or at the discretion of the nurse
in charge, visiting is completely flexible.
Visitors' Facilities
Meals: Unfortunately, we
are unable to provide meals for visitors on a routine basis.
However, in special circumstances or at the discretion of
the nurse in charge, meals or snacks can be ordered from a
member of the catering staff. Visitors are encouraged to eat
in the dining room.
Beverages: Relatives will
be offered beverages when the patient is admitted. Beverages
are served
by volunteers in the morning, afternoon and evening for both
patients and visitors. Drinks will otherwise only be provided
by the ward team in special circumstances or at the discretion
of the nurse in charge. At other times, visitors can purchase
drinks at reception from the drinks machine.
Overnight Stay: We have
a Visitors’ Room (two single beds) with en-suite facilities
for relatives and friends. In special circumstances, we can
arrange for you to stay in your relative’s room in a
recliner chair.
Telephone Enquiries: To obtain information about an
in-patient, you can contact the Hospice and speak to a member
of the nursing staff at any time. From 8.00 pm. to 8.30 am.,
your call will be received directly by the nursing staff.
At other times, your call will be answered by the telephonist/receptionist.
Please ask to be put through to the ward and your call will
be transferred to a member of the nursing team.
Reflection Room
This room is designed as a quiet area for patients and visitors
where they may enjoy privacy and peace and quiet for their
thoughts and prayers. Non-denominational services are held
regularly
in the Reflection Room on two weekday mornings and at other
times as requested.
Valuables
The Hospice cannot accept responsibility for any personal
property or valuables retained by patients. We advise patients
to send valuables and large amounts of money home with relatives.If
money or valuables must be brought to the Hospice, patients
should inform a member of the nursing team and they will be
secured in the Hospice’s safe and a receipt given.
Facilities Available
Medical Team
The Hospice’s medical team works closely with other members
of the inter-disciplinary team to plan and deliver your care.
Because there are several members of this team with different
duty rotas, you may not necessarily see the same doctor each
day. However, the doctors in the team liaise closely with
each other about patients’ problems and care plans to
ensure continuity of medical care. Please note that the Hospice’s
medical team are not resident.
Pastoral Care (clergy)
A member of the Hospice Pastoral Team visits daily. Ask staff
if you wish them to visit you or if you wish to make contact
with your own religious counsellor.
Complementary Therapies
Our complementary therapists are available to help you and
your relatives. Please ask a member
of the ward staff if you feel that complementary therapies
may be helpful.
Diversional Therapy
Various activities in Day Hospice - for example, crafts, bingo,
musical events, quizzes - in which ward patients may participate.
Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy
Several members of the ward team have expertise in this area
and we have visiting hairdressers and beauticians. Please
ask if you require their help.
Physiotherapy and Occupational
Therapy
The Hospice employs practitioners in both these areas on a
part-time basis. They are available
to patients and their families advising on safe practices
in daily living and on aids and adaptations which may make
life easier and safer.
Patient and Carer Support Worker
This member of the Hospice team is available to help you in
dealing with the implications of your diagnosis and treatment,
and of these for your carers, and also co-ordinates the Hospice’s
bereavement service.
Mail
Mail will be delivered to patients only. Out-going mail should
be handed to a member of the nursing team before 4.00 pm.
each day.
Telephone
There is a pay telephone in the in-patient unit corridor which
is available for patients/visitors
to make out-going calls only. In special circumstances patients
and visitors may receive in-coming calls on the ward’s
portable telephone and make out-going calls on the ward telephone.
Fire Policy
The safety of patients and visitors is of paramount importance.
The following procedures must
be adhered to at all times:
On hearing the Fire Alarm, (a continuous bell), all visitors
should leave the building immediately via the nearest fire
exit and assemble on the front car park. For ward visitors,
this means retracing the
steps they took on entering the ward area. The clinical team
will be responsible for moving or evacuating patients.
Smoking
A Smoking Room is provided for patients and visitors. Patients
and visitors may not normally smoke in any other area of the
building.
Security and Safety
For security reasons and to meet fire regulations, visitors
should always enter and leave the building by the main entrance
and report to Reception on arrival. Visitors must sign the
Visitor’s Book on entering and leaving the premises.
The building has an alarm system. To avoid activating the
system, do not open the patio door in patients’ rooms/bays
without first checking with a member of the nursing team because
the system may have been armed.
For security reasons, visitors are requested to leave the
Hospice premises by 8.30 pm. except in special circumstances.
Complaints
The Hospice operates a formal complaints procedure, a copy
of which is displayed on the wall of the ward corridor. We
sincerely hope that you will not have cause for complaint
but if you feel you do please follow the complaints procedure,
details of which will be explained to you by the ward staff.
We hope this helps
The in-patient team will be happy to answer any queries or
clarify any points about which you
may be uncertain.
Any suggestions for improving our standardsof care will be
most welcome. Anyone wishing to
offer their views may do so by putting themin writing and
handing them to the named nurse or
ward co-ordinator.
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