In our Hospice

Our In-Patient Unit

As part of your care you may come to our bedded Hospice. This may be to manage your symptoms, such as pain or breathlessness, so that you feel well enough to go back home or it may be to receive emotional support or end-of-life care.

Our in-patient unit is a safe haven staffed by our highly skilled doctors and nurses who will care for and support you and those close to you during your time with us.

Every one who comes to the Hospice is unique and we tailor the care we give to meet your specific needs. This includes your physical, psychological and spiritual wellbeing.

What is Oakhaven like?

Oakhaven Hospice can be found along Lower Pennington Lane, nestled within our beautiful gardens. Our individual patient rooms have ensuite facilities and open onto a patio area overlooking the grounds that you and your visitors can enjoy while you are with us. Your meals will be prepared for you in our kitchens and each day there is a fabulous selection for you to choose from. We are happy to accommodate any dietary requirements that you may have.

Our hospice is not just a place where people come to die. Whilst some do spend their final days with us, we also offer pain relief and symptom management that helps to improve quality of life and enables people to be able to live as well as they can with their illness. Many patients spend a short time with us to enable us to improve their symptom control and are then discharged home again.

What will my stay be like?

What is an initial assessment?

Who can visit?

Your family and friends are welcome to visit at any time and we are pleased to announce that restrictions due to Covid-19 have now been lifted. However we do ask that, on advice received from Public Health England, all visitors continue to follow the guidelines explained in more detail on the home-page under ‘visiting hours’.

When the weather allows, visitors are welcome to use the gardens or walk across to the Hub where there is a friendly volunteer to offer a cup of tea and a slice of cake. In all patient rooms there is also a menu offering a small selection of drinks and snacks, which a member of staff will gladly order for you.

We welcome children to the Hospice: they are welcome to explore the garden, visit our secret angel garden or use the toys available in the family room (unfortunately the family room is unavailable to sit in due to infection-control, but a member of staff can bring some toys to you). We just ask that children are supervised while they are with us.

We also know how much your pets mean to you and we are happy for them to visit too. Over time this has included cats, dogs, guinea pigs and even horses. As with children, pets will need to be supervised at all times and with prior agreement of the nursing team.

Visitors are also able to stay overnight by prior arrangement with the nursing staff.

If you have questions regarding any aspect of visiting, please ring the In-Patient Unit and our staff will help you with additional information.

Our Day Hospice

If you are living with a life-limiting condition you may attend our day hospice for social interaction as well as accessing practical help and support for your illness. We believe in asking what matters to you and making every day count.

You will receive excellent care in a caring and supportive atmosphere from a team that respect your choices and values, providing a safe place in which to discuss any medical problems and concerns you may have. Experienced nurses offer an holistic approach to your individual needs and those of your family or carer. Day Hospice has close links with your own GP, district nurses and Hospital Consultants.

If you would like more information please telephone the Day Hospice Team on 01590 613033 (Monday, Thursday and Friday, 9-5 answer machine out of hours)

What happens at day hospice?

During the morning, a physiotherapist leads gentle armchair exercise classes and can give individual guidance if needed to help with your symptoms and aid in maintaining your independence.

The complementary therapists offer treatments which can help you with symptom management and relaxation. Referrals can be made to the counselling service for you or a member of your family. There is also a team of chaplains who offer a daily service and spiritual support.

There is a varied programme of activities on offer which range from art and craft classes, interesting entertainment and trips out. The Day Hospice is a social setting through which you will be able to enjoy the mutual support and friendship of the other patients.

Your family could also benefit, knowing that you are in a safe environment for the day. A delicious homemade lunch is provided, catering for all dietary needs and refreshments are served throughout the day by our wonderful team of volunteers.

On what days does day dospice take place?

How do I get there?

Do I need to be referred?