Our Caring Services
Day Care
The Daycare environment is a relaxed and informal place to be. It is a light and airy space which opens onto the garden where there is seating and umbrellas for those bright sunny days. Our focus is on working with patients to promote and maintain their independence and quality of life, thereby supporting them and their family in remaining at home.
Daycare and Patients
The aim of the Daycare is to support those with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses who continue to live at home either alone or with family it also gives an introduction to the Hospice environment and Hospice care.
Patients living at home who are known to the Hospice and have been referred to our Daycare visit once a week from Tuesday to Friday. Thursdays are for the younger age groups to ensure we manage their specific needs. If the patients are unable to transport themselves, with arrangement one of our team of valued volunteer drivers can provide transport in a car or via our Minibus.
The patients referred have an initial visit to look around the Hospice, meet us in Daycare and to have the opportunity to ask any questions they may have and also it is an opportunity for us to ‘get to know them’ and ensure they fit them in to an appropriate day where possible so they will meet others with similar outlooks and interests.
The Daycare Day
The Daycare Day starts at about 10pm through to 3pm. There is the opportunity to attend a short non denominational service run by one of our visiting or resident chaplains at 12midday Afterwards Lunch is provided and there is a wide choice to suit all tastes and appetites with a glass of wine or a pre dinner sherry to stimulate the appetite.
It is a very relaxed day so patients are at liberty to take part in activities if they wish or purely relax, read the paper or just chat. Patients can discuss their concerns with qualified staff, and often find it very helpful to talk to others sharing similar experiences. There is also the opportunity for patients to take part in Arts and Crafts, Therapeutic treatments such as Aromatherapy or Reflexology, access the Hairdresser or have a manicure. In the afternoons we often have visiting entertainers who vary from singers to guitarists from local schools keen to show off their skills, or we make our own entertainment with quizzes and games. The photo is of The Nightingale Singers.
The Staff
There are always trained nurses in Daycare to ensure the safety of the patients and to monitor patients’ wellbeing. They work closely with other professionals involved in the patients care such as the Community Palliative care specialist nurses, GPs, District Nurses and Hospitals also the other professionals in the Hospice.
We have a trained Art teacher who works with the volunteers to bring Arts and Crafts to each Day. We have a Transport manager and Driver who arrange the smooth running of the Patient transportation.
The staff are supported by a team of Volunteers each day who act as hosts and hostesses making tea & coffee, serving the lunch, chatting with patients and facilitating activities.
Our Mission Statement is to create an environment of understanding, enjoyment and safety within a social, therapeutic, spiritual and medically supportive framework.
The Daycare Manager is Sister Elizabeth (Liz) Piechocki
