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Katharine House Hospice

Exists to develop and provide specialist palliative care services for adults in Mid Staffordshire with advanced, life limiting illness.

Our approach to care is:-

•  Patient led
•  Holistic
•  Individualised
•  Multi-professional
•  Focus on quality of life for the patient and those close to them.

Services

Katharine House Hospice offers the following services:

Day Care                                            

Open 10am to 3.30pm, patients usually attend once or twice a week. Volunteers provide transport; we have a minibus for those who use a wheelchair. Day Care provides ongoing management of symptoms that have a physical, psychological, social or spiritual cause. The service also enables carers to access periods of respite.

Day Care is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
For further information please contact:
Ruth Naylor, Day Care Sister on
Telephone: 01785 254645.

Drop in Day

Every Thursday between 9.30am and 4 pm.
Providing support and advice on a drop in basis for patients; no appointment is necessary.
Nursing care cannot be provided on this day.
Complementary therapies, Tai Chi, Relaxation and counselling can also be accessed through the Drop In Day.
For further information please contact:
Ruth Naylor, Sister, on
Telephone: 01785 254645.

Lymphoedema Service

Provides treatment for patients with chronic lymphoedema related to cancer or other life-limiting illnesses.
For further information please contact:
Elaine Basgallop, Staff Nurse on
Telephone: 01785 254645.

Respite for Carers

This service provides home sitting services and is managed by the Sister – Day Care. This service provides carers with relief from their caring role. The sits can range from a couple of hours to all day.

For further information please contact:
Ruth Naylor, Day Care Sister on
Telephone: 01785 254645.

In-Patient Care

For further information please contact the Medical Director or Director of Nursing Services on 01785 270802.

All health and social care professionals are welcome to make referrals.

Bereavement Support

Meetings are held monthly and one-to-one support is also offered to the family and friends of people who were cared for at Katharine House Hospice.
For further information please contact:
Delphine Howarth, Staff Nurse on
Telephone: 01785 254645.

Carer Support

Meetings are held alternate Thursdays in the Day Care Unit for the main carers of people with a progressive life-limiting illness. This support provides practical advice on caring for someone at home and also offers the opportunity for social events. For further information please contact:
Karen Bell, Staff Nurse on:
Telephone: 01785 270802.

Whilst at Katharine House Hospice, patients have access to:- 

• Chaplaincy
• Complementary therapies
• Counselling
• Diversional therapies
• Horticultural therapy.

Smoking Policy  In compliance with the Health Bill 2006 Katharine House Hospice is a no smoking organisation. Within the Bill there are exemptions which allow resident patients to smoke in designated areas. If patients are unable to smoke independently and/or safely their opportunities to smoke will be restricted to times when family or staff are willing to assist or supervise them. Nicotine replacement therapy will be offered to these patients to reduce their cravings.

Referral Criteria

 We accept referrals for patients with an advanced, life limiting condition for:

• Sympton management.
• Respite care (planned or crisis)
• Assessment.
• Terminal care for patients considered to be in last two weeks of life.
• Carer Support.
• Lymphoedema.
• Day Unit, a physical, social, psychological and spiritual support.
• Bereavement Support.    

If you wish to discuss a patient’s suitability for referral, please contact the Director of Nursing Services or Medical Director. Telephone 01785 254645.

Making a Referral 

All health and social care professionals are welcome to make referrals.
Please download, complete and return the patient referral form to Katharine House Hospice by fax or post.
Fax No: 01785 270839
Weston Road
Stafford
ST16 3SB

All new referrals will be reviewed and responded to within one working day of referral.
If an ambulance is required the referrer will be asked to arrange this.
Please complete the referral form as fully as possible to enable a prompt decision to be made.
A full list of the patient's medication should be included with the referral.

Admission

Patients should arrive by 11 am on the day of admission. 
Patients should bring their current medication, toiletries and clothing with them.
During admission their medications may be changed and palliative treatments initiated.
It is anticipated that the average length of stay for those admitted for symptom management will be one or two weeks. Respite care will be for one week and runs from Friday to Friday. Planned respite is in advance with patients, carers and health professionals. We also offer crisis respite.

Discharge

The care team, in liaison with the community and hospital staff, will carefully coordinate discharges

You will be informed of your patient’s discharge, in writing, and will receive information about changes in medication and treatments given whilst in the hospice.

Patient/Carer review meetings are held weekly, you may be invited to attend prior to the discharge of your patient.

For further information contact:

Director of Nursing Services
Telephone:01785 254645
Fax: 01785 270802
(for referrals only)