March 2010
Inpatient Beds
We are currently staffed for 11 beds – whether we can continue to keep 11 beds open will depend very much on our financial situation which of course determines our staffing levels.
The Hospice has the capacity to open 14 beds and we are hoping for more NHS support to get our remaining beds open.
Day Hospice
Currently Day Hospice operates on two days per week and we can have up to 12 patients on each of these days.
At the moment we have reached capacity for our twice weekly Day Hospice sessions but we do have a waiting list and will consider referrals on merit.
There are other opportunities in Day Hospice, opening extra days, for instance, bespoke services for those with heart failure or severe breathlessness are being considered.
Specialist Nurses in the Community
Our team of six would like to expand, but again finances are limiting developments. The team currently looks after 280 patients at home every month, offering a service based on continuity and expertise, supporting families often for many months during a serious illness.
Special Projects
We are currently working in partnership with the Alexandra Nursing Home in Hemel Hempstead and Ashlyns Residential Nursing Home in Berkhamsted. We have a senior nurse funded by Help the Hospices for a year to help with advance care planning in these two care homes, working with staff to introduce systems to improve communication about difficult end of life issues and enhance confidence and planning.