Hospice Care

Hospice care provides compassionate care for people with a life-limiting illness and those important to them. The primary focus is on enhancing the quality of life for people and those important to them by addressing physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs. Hospice care aims to create a supportive and comfortable environment to help people live as fully and as comfortably as possible during their final stages of life. Hospices offer comprehensive care that includes medical and nursing services, pain and symptom management, emotional and social support and spiritual care. A holistic approach ensures that all aspects of a person’s wellbeing are addressed. While hospices can be standalone facilities, they can also be part of hospitals.

Care is provided by specialist palliative care health and social professionals, staff working in hospices have specialised in palliative care and have received specialist training to deliver these services.

People with life-limiting illnesses may be referred to the hospice for in-patient care for many reasons including management of complex pain (and other) symptoms, rehabilitation, respite or care at the end-of-life.

The general ambiance of a hospice is different to that of a hospital. Hospices aim to create a comfortable, homelike atmosphere to enhance the quality of life for those they care for. It is designed to be peaceful and supportive, often resembling a home more than a hospital. Rooms are designed to be more comfortable and less clinical with the focus being on comfort and dignity rather than on medical procedures. In hospices, creative and complimentary therapies are integral to holistic care, enhancing people’s wellbeing by addressing physical, emotional and spiritual needs. These therapies compliment conventional medical treatments, offering a more comprehensive approach to personhood and individualised care. Creative therapies may include art therapy, music therapy, gardening and pet therapy. Complimentary therapies may include aromatherapy, reiki, massage therapy and reflexology. Incorporating these therapies into hospice care provides people with opportunities for self-expression, relaxation and symptom management, thereby enhancing their quality of life.  The care that is provided is person-centred and focuses on the whole person. Those important to the person with the life-limiting illness are supported and overnight accommodation may be provided for them when needed.

Most hospices act as the hub for specialist community services in the area. This means that the community homecare team who visit people at home are based from the hospice. Day services may also be provided. This is care for people who are living at home but come into the hospice for one day per week for individualised care and support.

The hospice inpatient team works very closely with the community and day hospice teams. This ensures continuity of care for people resulting in palliative care support being available whenever and wherever the patient may be.

Hospice Videos

The following videos show people’s experiences of accessing hospice services: