
22 Oct 2019
Patient’s Guide
Our Patient's Guide to the inpatient unit includes information for your stay and the services we provide.
We know that life-shortening conditions affect not only the person who has been diagnosed, but those close to them too.
Everyone at St Catherine’s is committed to supporting relatives and friends alongside their care of the patient. We also have a dedicated Support Team which is here to help carers and loved ones in a range of practical and emotional ways. They also support carers in the community who don’t have to be connected with the hospice.
The team is made up three qualified social workers who work with patients and loved ones on our in-patient unit and in the community.
Their role is extremely diverse and includes:
A carer is someone who provides unpaid, regular and substantial support to a friend, relative, partner or other person who cannot manage without help because of a physical or mental illness, disability or dependency.
Support may include personal care such as washing and dressing; practical care such as feeding and helping with medication; and emotional support such as providing a friendly face and someone to socialise with.
The Support Team at the hospice runs an informal drop-in session at the hospice on the first Tuesday of the month between 1pm and 3pm.
It is open to everyone – regardless of whether they have a connection with the hospice or not. It provides the opportunity to chat with the Support Team; meet other carers to share experiences; enjoy a complementary therapy and access information about local carer support services. Demonstrations and presentations about everything from first aid to flower arranging are often also included.
Please note we are currently hosting our carers’ drop-in sessions remotely using Microsoft Teams – please email supportteam@stcatherines.co.uk if you would like to join.
“For me it’s about getting out of the house and making two hours for myself each month, because sometimes it’s hard to make that effort for yourself.”
“It’s a friendly group and there’s always something different to do, whether that’s just sitting and having a chat or having a therapy; I find it really makes a difference to me.”
“The hospice is very welcoming and warm, so I think it’s a great place to come.”
“It makes you feel valued as a carer, because you’re always putting someone else first, so the fact that you’re making time for you is important.”
“I think exchanging notes, sharing ideas and being able to share your own experiences which can benefit somebody else is very important.”
“All of our situations are different, and I think the diverse range of experiences people have within the group is really useful.”
To see more useful resources for patients and families, please click here
22 Oct 2019
Our Patient's Guide to the inpatient unit includes information for your stay and the services we provide.
26 Jun 2019
A document to help patients and loved ones plan for the future from the PPC
26 Jun 2019
A guide for patients and families
26 Jun 2019
A guide for carers, families and friends of dying people, produced by the National Council for Palliative Care, Hospice UK and Sue Ryder
30 May 2019
St Catherine's and The Mill cafè and community hub host various sessions to help people affected by serious illness or bereavement with information, advice and support.