Hospices provide care specifically for terminally ill people and give support to their carers both in the hospice and at home.
Hospices provide a range of services which can differ from place to place. They are particularly skilled in pain and symptom control and in giving emotional support to patients and their carers.
You can expect to find some, if not all, of the following in a hospice:
- skilled medical care from doctors and nurses who are specially trained in pain and symptom control
- emotional support for patients and their carers
- care at home
- care in a hospice, hospital or palliative care centre
- physiotherapy
- lymphodoema service (lymphodoema is a form of chronic swelling)
- respite care to give carers a break
- sitting service for patients at home
- bereavement support.
Who is eligible
Admission is arranged through your doctor or hospital consultant. Some private nursing and rest homes also specialise in the care of the terminally ill.
How to access the service
Your doctor or hospital consultant should be able to give you details of the hospices and homes in and around Lewisham.
FAQs
My relative is in a residential home and has been recently diagnosed as terminally ill. Will they be moved to a hospice?
You can discuss with the doctor the care you all think would be best for your relative.
Do I have to pay for care in a hospice?
No. Hospice care is free.
Can the hospice provide help and care for short breaks?
Yes. You or your friend or relative may just need some short term full time care and the hospice can provide this.
I am receiving benefits. Will they be stopped if I go into a hospice?
It will depend on a number of things; how long you are going into the hospice for, what benefits you are receiving at the moment etc. For the most up to date information you should contact the office which issues your benefits and they will be able to advise you.