What is a hospice? Expand A hospice is a specialist centre for supporting people with a life limiting illness – that is an illness that is not responsive to curative treatment. We provide in-patient care, but we are not just a building. We are a warm, safe, friendly place at the heart of the community with a large range of expert services to support our patients and their friends and family. We care for people with very complex needs for a short time to enable these problems to be helped and to enable them to be discharged back home. Many people may not be aware that most of our care happens in people’s own homes, helping them live as well as possible. And when the time comes, our specialist teams are there, ensuring comfort, dignity and compassionate care at home or in the hospice. Anyone can call our Support Line: 01324 827383 to discuss your own illness, or of someone you care about. We can help to answer all your questions or queries. This is a direct line to our Hospice teams with no need for a GP referral.
How do I get Hospice care? Expand You can be referred to our services by your GP or other health professional involved with your care. We will then contact you directly to find out how we can best support you and your family. This will normally involve a visit to your home by one of our specialist teams. Anyone can call our Support Line: 01324 827383 to discuss your own illness, or of someone you care about. We can help to answer all your questions or queries. This is a direct line to our Hospice teams with no need for a GP referral.
Do you only care for people with cancer? Expand No, we welcome anyone, with any condition where they have been informed the disease is incurable. We take anyone who has an ‘active progressive, advanced disease that is not responsive to curative treatment’, such as heart disease, lung disease, neurological disease etc. where the patient has been informed that the disease is likely to be terminal.
What does palliative care mean? Expand Palliative care is an approach which aims to improve the quality of life and overall wellbeing of someone living with a life-limiting illness and those close to them, including family members and carers. You can have palliative care at any stage in your illness, and it can be provided alongside any other treatments, therapies and medicines aimed at controlling your illness, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Palliative care also includes caring for people who are nearing the end of life – this is often called end-of-life care.
Can I only be referred for hospice care when I am actually dying? Expand You can be referred by your GP for Strathcarron care, at home or in the hospice at any stage in your illness. If you are referred when you are first diagnosed, we can provide support in many areas throughout your illness, such as symptom control or rehabilitation. The sooner you contact us in your diagnosis journey the better. Please discuss this with your GP for referral to our services. We have expertise in pain management, control of nausea and vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, anxiety, sleeplessness, spiritual distress and any other troublesome issues. Anyone can call our Support Line: 01324 827383 to discuss your own illness, or of someone you care about. We can help to answer all your questions or queries. This is a direct line to our Hospice teams with no need for a GP referral.
Can my loved ones stay with me overnight? Expand Close family and friends can visit any time and if required can stay overnight to be close to you. We aim to do all we can to enable you and those close to you to live in a way that is as meaningful and to make every moment count.
Can you support me in planning my funeral and writing a will? Expand Although we are not funeral directors, with your consent, we can signpost you to some local businesses who can help you with planning and funding your funeral to create or amend an existing Will. More information can be found: Gift in Will
What time is your café open? Expand Our Papermill Cafe is open to staff, patients and their loved ones for hot drinks 8am – 6pm and food 12pm to 6pm. We are often told by patients and their visitors they love the ‘made with love’ food!
Is there a charge for the care you provide? Expand No, we do not charge for any of the services we offer. Our services are always free of charge to patients, families and carers, however they are not free to provide. We are a local independent charity and the majority of our running costs need to be raised from the generous local community we serve. Should you like to donate towards the work of Strathcarron Hospice, we would be grateful: Donate Thank you.
What are the visiting times at the Hospice? Expand Family and friends are welcome to visit the hospice at any time. However, if you are in a multiple bedded room we ask visitors to respect some quiet time between 1 and 2pm daily. We have alternative rooms available for you and your visitors should you choose to meet during this time. We have a very flexible and creative approach to getting the balance right for everyone. We have an indoor activity area and an outdoor play park for young children and there is a TV, as well as electronic and traditional board games, as well as a table football in our family room.
Can I have hospice care at home? Expand We have a team of specialist community nurses and our Hospice at Home service who will visit you in your own home to assess your needs and discuss a plan of care. Referrals to the service can be made by any Health and Social Care professional if the individual and their family are agreeable to having this support in their home. The Lead Nurse and coordinator for Hospice at Home will co-ordinate a team comprised of a Registered Nurse and Health Care Assistants who are expert in providing care for people in the last weeks of life. Our staff have full access to the support services of our multi professional team as needed and work closely with other professionals and services involved in your care. Health and Social Care professionals can make referrals via telephone on 01324 826222 or 07881 511517 between 9am and 5pm, 365 days per year. Or by completing the Referral Form and emailing it to [email protected]. In some cases, we may be able to offer support on the day of referral. If the referral is made out of hours please follow up any referral form with a telephone call to 07881 511517.
Can I get advice without being admitted? Expand Yes, if you or your loved one has been diagnosed with a life-limiting or terminal illness you are welcome to contact our Live Your Life support line where our trained staff can give you advice. All the support we offer is free. Support line is open 10am-4pm, Monday to Friday Support Line Call 01324 827383 Email: [email protected]