Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a Hospice?

A: A hospice is a specialist centre for supporting people with a life threatening illness - that is an illness that is not responsive to curative treatment.

Hospices care for people with complicated needs. This may only be for a short time but enables them to live their days to the full and to be discharged back home if they wish. Hospices also offer respite care to help with pain, symptom and drug control. They also offer care and support for family and friends.

Q: Do you have to be dying or have cancer to come to Shornells, the Day Hospice facility?

A: No, anyone with a life threatening or debilitating disease can come to Shornells

Q: How do we get referred to Shornells?

A: Referrals can be made by the patient, relative, District Nurse or Home Care teams. You will be contacted and visited in your own home to inform you of the service and assess your needs

Q: What happens if I become ill while in Shornells?

A: You will be seen by a nurse and a doctor who will ensure you are comfortable.

Q: Do we have to pay for the services offered in Shornells?

A: No. Care, therapies, meals and transport are free. There is a modest fee for hairdressing services.

Q: How long can I attend Shornells?

A: There is no set time. It depends on your individual needs, which we assess continually.

Q: Why might I be admitted to the Hospice?

A: There are three main reasons:

1. For symptom control, i.e. to ease pain, nausea or other problems that cannot be resolved in your own home
2. Respite care - to give carers a break
3. Terminal care - care in the last stages of an illness

40% of our patients are discharged from the Hospice to return to their home or nursing home.

Q: How will I get admitted to the Hospice?

A: Referrals can come from your GP or District Nurse, a hospital or Home Care Team

Q: Who will look after me?

A: The unit is staffed by a team of nursing, medical and counseling staff, specializing in Palliative Care, who also have access to a range of other supportive professionals

Q: Who will be in charge of my treatment at the Hospice?

A: There is a Consultant and another two doctors who are specialists in Palliative Care, along with the nursing staff; they liaise closely with the hospital, Home Care Team, GP, District Nurse or other agency to maintain continuity of care.

Q: I have special dietary needs, who will see to that?

A: Our resident Chef along with the nursing staff will be happy to talk over your menu with you.

Q: Can I stay at the Hospice with my spouse?   We have been married for 45 years and have barely spent a night apart in all that time.   I know it would cause us both a great deal of distress to be separated at such a difficult time.

A: Yes.  We would support a spouse staying.   We would usually be able to accommodate both of you in the same room. We do not have a relatives room but do have recliners to use as well.

If you have a question about the Hospice, which you think should be included in the above list, please email it to the Webmaster