In-patients
Why you would become an in-patient at one of the Severn Hospice sites
You might be referred as an in-patient to our Hospices in Shrewsbury or Telford for symptom control or end of life care.
If you are admitted for symptom control you may well be discharged once your symptoms are under control. If you are discharged you are likely to be referred to our Day Hospices and to our Outreach and Physiotherapy teams for future support.
How referral works
You will be referred to the Day Hospice by your GP or hospital consultant. While you are receiving care from the Hospice, we will stay in close contact with all the health professionals who been have working with you.
When you are admitted to the Hospice a nurse or doctor will discuss your symptoms and treatment with you. You will be asked to give your consent to any treatment. We will take into account any wishes you have for you care including advanced directives or living wills.
If you aren’t able to give your consent to your treatment we will speak to your family or, if necessary, an external advocate.
We will work with you to address not just your physical symptoms but also to tackle the emotional, psychological, social and spiritual pressures you may be experiencing. The Hospice team includes doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, complementary therapists, social workers and chaplains and the whole team will be available to help you and your family.
What to expect as an in-patient at the Hospice
Even though we have wards and employ doctors and nurses, you will find that staying in the Hospice is very different to staying in a hospital.
An experienced and specially trained nursing team leader will be responsible for your care. Most of our patients stay in single rooms, although we also have two four-bed bays at our Shrewsbury site.
We have a small number of rooms available which can be used by members of your family for an overnight stay. Please speak to a nurse if you would like to make use of these rooms.
We are always delighted to welcome children to the Hospice. There are areas where they can play indoors and out.
Your pet is also welcome to visit you. We do ask that pets are kept under control and it would help us if you could tell a nurse in advance to expect your pet.
We do not have restricted visiting hours but please let us know if you are expecting visitors to arrive after 2100hrs. This will help us with security.
Please let us know if you want us to limit the number of visitors you receive.
When you are admitted to the Hospice you will be given a card showing the telephone number of your ward. Friends and family are welcome to call this number to find out how you are.
Food is freshly prepared in our on-site kitchens. If you have any particular preferences or requirements for your food, please just let us know. We can also provide food and other refreshments for your visitors. There is a small charge to cover catering for visitors.
We want you to be as comfortable as possible during your stay with us. Please bring with you any books, magazines, CDs and photographs that you would like to have in your room. We do have a small library of tapes, CDs and books that you will be welcome to use. Do bring any drinks that you particularly enjoy, althoughwe would ask that you pass any alcoholic drinks to your nurse for safe-keeping. You can use your own mobile phone to make and receive calls anywhere in the Hospice (though please switch it to vibrate mode) or you can use a portable Hospice payphone to make calls. If you are not bringing your own mobile phone you might find it helpful to bring a small amount of change (up to £5).
We recommend you bring some day and nightwear and a pair of slippers. We also suggest you bring two flannels and two towels from home. Please bring all of the medication you are currently taking, any appliances you need (such as colostomy bags) and toiletries.
Our gardens are maintained by volunteers and are available for you to enjoy during your stay. Your visitors are welcome to explore the gardens too.
Other things it might be useful to know
We work hard to make the Hospice a peaceful and relaxing place to stay but we do test the fire alarms once a week. Your visitors will be asked to make their way to the muster points, but there will be nurses on hand to help you should it become necessary to move our patients. In Telford the test is held between 0900hrs and 1000hrs every Tuesday. In Shrewsbury the test is held between 12.30hrs and 13.30hrs every Wednesday. Every night as we secure the building the alarm system will sound briefly. These systems are important for your safety and we hope they won’t disturb you unduly.
If the fire alarm does sound while you are staying at the Hospice please remain calm and wait for the staff to advise you on what to do. We have good procedures to ensure your safety in the event of a fire while minimising any disruption to you.
We have a strict no smoking policy throughout the building which is necessary to comply with the law on smoking in the workplace. There is a designated room for in-patients who wish to smoke. Day patients and visitors who wish to smoke are welcome to use our designated outside areas.
We are, sadly, not able to wash your clothes for you. If this will cause you difficulties please let a nurse know.
We do not have the facilities to offer resuscitation to patients in the event of sudden collapse. If you or your family are uncomfortable with this please discuss it with a doctor or nurse in the Hospice.
