Referral
Referring a patient
Only complete this form if you are a healthcare professional.
Oakhaven accepts referrals from healthcare professionals at any stage of a patient’s illness. We encourage referrals at an early stage as evidence suggests the earlier a referral is made to specialist palliative care services the better the quality of life for the patient.
Early referrals enable us to make contact with the patient and their family. To develop a relationship and understanding of their needs and to help coordinate their care needs.
On referral the patient will be assessed by one of our Clinical Nurse Specialist to understand their needs and to ensure the most appropriate care can be arranged. All referred patients also receive access to our 24 hour advice line.
If you’d like to speak with one of the Oakhaven clinicians before referring please call 01590 670346.
Referral Criteria
Referrals may be made for palliative care needs or bereavement support.
For any questions or queries please contact us direct on 01590 670346
Detailed referral criteria are as follows:
- Patients with advanced progressive life –shortening diseases both malignant and non- malignant who have a complex level of physical, psychosocial, or spiritual needs that require specialist intervention.
- From time to time we may accept patients who do not have life shortening disease but who require specialist palliative care expertise in the management of complex symptoms.
- Complex needs can be patient or carer related.
- Referral can be for the support of the primary care team or other health care teams.
- Patients must be 16 years of age or older. Where patients are between 16 and 18 years of age we will need to notify the CQC of their acceptance to the service.
- Patients registered with GP surgeries within the Oakhaven Hospice catchment area.
- It is expected that referral to the service will have been discussed with the patient by the referrer.
- The Oakhaven Hospital Palliative Care Team may see patients in Lymington New Forest Hospital who do not have GPs within our catchment area. When these patients are discharged home we will, with the patients’ permission, inform their GP and the appropriate relevant specialist palliative care team.
- The Oakhaven Hospital Palliative Care Team may occasionally see patients in Lymington New Forest Hospital who do not have life shortening disease to advise on specific symptom control issues. These patients will not be followed up routinely on their discharge home.
