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The in-patient unit at St Columba’s Hospice has the resources to meet the varied and often changing needs of up to thirty patients whose illness has often reached an advanced stage.
The focus of our care is based on providing the best possible quality of life for each patient, as well as offering support to families, carers and friends.
Whilst symptom control is an extremely important focus in the care of our patients, we take a much broader view by also aiming to alleviate any other physical, psychological, emotional, social or spiritual needs. Indeed around 30% of our in-patients are able to return home once symptom control has been achieved.
To help fulfil these needs, each patient is cared for by a dedicated team of multi-professionals, including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social worker, chaplain, pharmacist, counsellor, chiropodist as well as a hairdresser.
Patients are cared for by a dedicated team of nurses, who are led by a ward sister/charge nurse. Each patient has a nominated ‘named nurse’ who is responsible for overseeing their care and encouraging them, and those important to them, to be actively involved in any decisions relating to and in the planning of their care.
St Columba’s has an open visiting policy. We welcome visits by children and, by prior arrangement pets can be brought in too.
Smoking with some restrictions is permitted within a designated area of the ward. This is for patient use only. However there is also an area for smoking within the grounds of the Hospice for visitors.
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