Information for patients
Patients with complex needs are admitted for symptom control, assessment of needs, brief respite admission or end of life care. Our aim is to make St. Vincent's Hospice as welcoming as possible.
A team of nurses will be looking after you during your stay, and you will be allocated a nurse who will be responsible for your care while in the Hospice. She will be available to you and your family when she is on duty, in her absence the Nurse in Charge will be happy to offer assistance.
Our patient and family support team is available to provide practical assistance and support.
Palliative Care is the active total care of patients whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment. Active resuscitation is not usually appropriate for patients in the Hospice but please feel free to discuss this with the Hospice doctor or a member of the nursing team.
Enquiries about patients
Telephone inquiries regarding the condition of patients are welcome at any time - day or night - although it would be appreciated if there is a large circle of family or friends, to co-ordinate calls. Family visitors are encourage to make themselves known to the staff who are eager to help and involve relatives in the patient's care.
Personal Necessities
Patients should bring their own clothes, nightwear, toiletries, preferred drinks, and snacks. Patients may also bring personal belongings e.g. photographs etc. which can be kept in their locker. A locked drawer is available for private use within the patient's own room if required. The Nurse in Charge will provide the key for your use. No responsibility can be accepted for valuables, belongings or monies. Any items of value may be handed to the Nurse in Charge for deposit in the Hospice safe, and a receipt will be issued. Patients should ensure they bring all current medication whether or not it has been prescribed by their family doctor.
Visiting Times
Visitors, including children, are welcome between 3pm and 9pm (and at other times by arrangement). Visitors should enter by the main reception and report to the receptionist on duty.
Meal Times
Meals are served to suit a particular patient need, however, the usual mealtimes are:
-
Breakfast at 8.30am
- Morning Tea at 10am
- Lunch at 12.45pm
- Afternoon Tea at 3pm
- Evening meal at 5pm
Snacks are available at all times.
Telephone
A mobile payphone is available for use on request; staff can arrange for this to be by a patient's bed to facilitate incoming calls.
Pets
Pets are welcome at the discretion of staff, although responsibility lies with the owner to ensure that no damage is done to Hospice property.
Laundry
Due to limited laundry facilities, all personal laundry should be laundered at home. The Hospice cannot accept responisbility for items laundered by staff