Highland Hospice has responded to growing demand on its Inpatient Unit by increasing its registered capacity from ten to twelve beds.
The Hospice’s inpatient service offers specialist palliative care to improve the quality of life for people living with advancing, life shortening illnesses such as cancer, cardio-pulmonary disease and neurological conditions. Many patients stay for a short time being supported with symptom management, rehabilitation or respite before returning home or to an alternative care environment. Others benefit from end-of-life care. Support is also offered to family members during the patient’s time in the Hospice and after.
Highland Hospice’s Head of Clinical Services Kathryn Hamling explains, “When we rebuilt our new Inpatient Unit in 2016 we designed it to accommodate 12 beds in nine single rooms and one shared room. On re-opening three years ago inpatient admissions were not growing so we remained a ten-bedded facility, as we had been since our original opening in 1988.’
She added, “Since then, we have seen an increase in demand for our inpatient care and have therefore taken the decision to operate as a twelve-bedded facility. This will allows us to offer rehabilitation, respite and end of life care for up to 20% more people every year.”
Referral to the Hospice’s Inpatient Unit can be made by a Macmillan team member, GP or treating consultant. If you feel that you, or someone you know, could benefit from Highland Hospice’s Inpatient care, please speak to your healthcare professional.
