Visiting your loved one who is staying with St Clare Hospice
If you have a friend or family member who is saying with us on our Inpatient Unit, you are welcome to come and visit.
What is it like to visit our Inpatient Unit?
Upon arrival to St Clare
When visiting the Inpatient Unit, we politely ask that you wait in the Reception area whilst the receptionist contacts the staff to check it is appropriate for you to come in at that time. We ask this to consider the needs of our patients.
You will then either be greeted by a member of staff, or be welcomed to make your way to the Inpatient Unit if you have visited before and know your way.
Our Inpatient Unit bedrooms
Our Inpatient Unit is made up of eight private, homely bedrooms with an en-suite shower room. The rooms have state-of-the-art specialist equipment to help your loved one feel comfortable and stay independent.
They will have their own bedroom with a television and free Wi-Fi access.
All rooms have French doors opening out onto an outdoor patio area, with beautiful views of the grounds.
Communal area on the IPU
In the middle of the Inpatient Unit, there is a communal area with sofas, armchairs and a table, for our patients and their relatives to relax in.
There is also a small kitchen area for all patients and their circle of family and friends to use. The visitors’ kitchen is supplied with refreshments, eating utensils, a microwave and a fridge.
Family Room
Our Family Room is located in the Inpatient Unit and is a large, comfortable space with sofas and a television, and toys and books for young children, where your loved one, can spend time with their friends and family.
We invite you to make yourselves at home in this space, but ask that you are mindful of others since this is a shared area for all families to use.
Food for visitors
If you are staying overnight and need a meal, our kitchen will be happy to acommodate this.
You and your family and friends are also welcome to order in takeaway food, or bring a meal to share.
Young visitors
We welcome babies and children to visit the Hospice. We want to make them feel as comfortable as possible, which is why we have games and toys in the Family Room for them to play with.
The accessible toilet on the main corridor past Reception has baby changing facilities.
Children must be supervised at all times for their safety and the comfort of other patients.
Pets
We know that pets are a special part of the family, too, and so they are always welcome to visit. Please discuss with the nurse in charge before bringing them in.
We respectfully ask that dogs are kept on a lead when coming into the building and are supervised at all times.
Visiting policy
We have an open visiting policy, and are open 24 hours a day for family and friends. However, your loved one may wish to discuss with you the times when they would prefer not to have visitors. may wish to discuss with your family the times when you would prefer not to have visitors.
Our Inpatient Unit team will ask, on your loved ones arrival, for the details of their family and friends, and of a nominated person for us to liaise with during their stay.
Overnight visiting
We are able to accomodate relatives who wish to stay with their loved one overnight. Please discuss with the nurse in charge.
St Clare Hospice team
The St Clare Hospice team meets daily to ensure your loved ones are receiving the best possible personalised care. There are many members of the team who will be involved in their care, including:
- Doctors
- Registered nurses and healthcare assistants
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational therapists
- Therapy assistants
- Counsellors
- Chaplaincy team
- Social workers
- Family support workers
- Clinical nurse specialists
The team is supported by administrators and a number of valuable volunteers. The Hospice provides training in specialist palliative care, so at times we may have medical or nursing students working with us.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about visiting our Inpatient Unit, please do get in touch with us. We’d love to hear from you.
Call us on 01279 773700
Email us on info@stclarehospice.org.uk
