Hospice Care

Hospices offer comprehensive end of life care, as Jessica Tomlin explains.

Hospices offer comprehensive palliative care to people with terminal illnesses. 

They aim to meet the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of their residents, and also support their loved ones.

Hospice care can be delivered at the home of the patient, as well as in the hospice.

In many cases, patients are cared for at home and then if appropriate will move to the hospice.

The well trained staff and volunteers enable residents to face the end of their lives with dignity, respect, tolerance and care. They understand the issues facing their residents and the family and friends who visit their terminally ill loved one.

Appropriate health care specialists provide a range of services to meet the various individual needs of each resident.

How to get hospice care

GPs can provide a referral for home care.

When it is clear that home care is no longer a practical option, the those providing home care, or the patient's GP, can refer the patient for a place in a hospice.

Individuals or their close family members can apply for a place in a local hospice.

How to find local hospices

Help the Hospices is a nationwide umbrella organisation that includes a comprehensive information service including an online search tool of all hospices in the UK.

Choosing a hospice

You will usually be referred to the hospice that is closest to your home. However, there may be special circumstances that warrant a referral to a hospice place elsewhere.

Applying for a place in a hospice

The patient, or their carer, should find out which suitable hospices have an available place and if the patient meets their criteria for entry.

Each hospice has its own assessment criteria so if a patient doesn't meet the criteria for a particular hospice, it is possible that he or she will meet the criteria of another hospice. 

Usually, a representative from the hospice will visit the patient to assess whether they can accept the patient and when the stay at the hospice should start.

The cost of hospice care

Hospices do not charge.

Most are run by charities as Government funding to hospices is currently only 30 per cent. This means that hospice places are limited.

Many people now use their funerals or those of a loved one as a way of raising money for a specific hospice or for the hospice movement.