Caring for you

• The community specialist team provides specialist palliative care advice to patients who have been diagnosed with a progressive life-limiting illness e.g. cancer, lung, heart and neurological conditions.
• Hands-on nursing care and advice in the patient’s own home, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year through the Hospiscare@Home service. This enables patients to stay in their own home, if home is their preferred place of death.
• Complementary therapies like massage and supportive care groups are also available.

The Hospiscare teams are highly qualified and experienced, dedicated to helping people in our local community with progressive life limiting illnesses.

The care is provided by a wonderful team of dedicated healthcare professionals; including Clinical Nurse Specialists, the Hospiscare@Home team, a specialist Admiral Nurse, a specialist palliative care paramedic, spiritual care team, bereavement team, complementary therapy, occupational and physiotherapists – as well as support from highly trained consultants.

The local Clinical Nurse Specialists and Hospiscare@Home teams are based at Highview Gardens in Exmouth – both teams support patients and families in their own homes. If needed, patients are taken into the specialist ward at Searle House in Exeter.

“My best friend and I felt so lucky to have been referred to this charity. The Hospiscare@Home nurses are absolute angels.”

The clinical team are available to provide specialist advice in your home.

The highly qualified and experienced Clinical Nurse Specialists and specialist palliative care paramedic are employed by Hospiscare (Exeter, East & Mid Devon) to provide expert palliative care advice for patients and their families/carers in our local community and liaise with the patient’s GP, NHS Community Nurses and other support agencies where necessary.

The team are dedicated to supporting patients who wish to remain at home at the end of their lives. They are available on the phone or to visit at home all year round.

Services provided by the clinical team:

• Specialist palliative care advice to patients who have been diagnosed with a progressive life-limiting illness e.g. cancer, lung, heart and neurological conditions.
• The team will visit and assess your needs using their expert knowledge.
• Liaison with GPs, community nurses, hospital teams and other agencies.
• Support for patients and their families/carers to enable patients to stay in their own home, if home is their preferred place of death.
• Provide education and training to colleagues outside of the Hospiscare organisation.
• The team are supported by a multi-disciplinary team including specialist consultants, Admiral Nurse, occupational therapist, physiotherapist and spiritual care.

How do they care for you?

The Clinical Nurse Specialists are on duty between 8am and 6pm, 7 days a week. At night there is an overnight advice line answered by Hospiscare’s specialist ward at Searle House in Exeter so that you can access help 24 hours a day.

You might need their help if….

• You have a life-limiting illness and are having difficulties at home with symptom control and need advice on your medication in complex situations.
• You or your carer need help with emotional or social concerns.
• You would like our support to enable you to make decisions about future care.

How you can access the service?

A doctor, nurse or other health care professional who knows you well must complete a Hospiscare referral form, please ask them to see if you fit the criteria for a referral. This is passed onto the local Hospiscare team to assess and they will make contact with you.

Hospiscare@Home is an extension of the Clinical Nurse Specialist service. It offers hands-on nursing care in your own home when required at any time, day or night. We support adult patients with life-limiting illnesses who wish to remain at home at the end of their lives.

The Hospiscare@Home Team are employed by Hospiscare (Exeter, Mid and East Devon) and respond to the needs of the local community to bring the expertise of the hospice into your home.

The service aims to:

• Give you access to end of life nursing expertise, advice and care in your own home.
• Provide advice 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• Help you avoid unnecessary hospital admissions or stays. Our expert team provides support so you can remain at home at the end of your life if this is your wish.
• Fill the gap between acute hospital care and the care offered by other support agencies.
• Respect your privacy and treasured time with family and friends. The nurses don’t overstay their welcome; they will stay for a while when you need assistance with symptom control and to ensure you are ok.
• Supported by a multi-disciplinary team including; specialist consultants, an admiral nurse, occupational therapist, physio therapist and spiritual care.

How do they care for you?

There is a Hospiscare@Home nurse on duty during the day between the hours of 8am and 10pm. At night, calls are answered by Hospiscare’s specialist ward at Searle House in Exeter. Help and advice is given over the phone and the Hospiscare@Home nurse on duty will visit if required.

You might need our help if….

You have a life-limiting illness, are in the final months or weeks of life and would like to remain at home until you die, and you need hands-on, supportive nursing care to make this happen.

How you can access the service?

A doctor, nurse or other health care professional who knows you well must complete a Hospiscare referral form, please ask them to see if you fit the criteria for a referral. This is passed onto the local Hospiscare team to assess and they will make contact with you.

“Thanks to your help dads life was made bearable during the later stages of treatment.”

Complementary therapies like massage and aromatherapy are available to complement your medical treatment and relieve stress, aid relaxation, promote a sense of well-being and sometimes to assist with symptom control. Supportive Care Groups are run in a friendly and informal way by one of the Hospiscare nurses in conjunction with other care professionals.  

These groups aim to offer you advice and guidance, and support individuals with advance care planning, managing symptoms, and managing uncertainty. For more information, see the Hospiscare website or contact the clinical services line at 01392 688040.