Frequently Asked Questions: Hospice at Home

 

• Is the Hospice at Home service available to me?

• What will happen after I am referred?

• What happens at a first visit?

• What happens during subsequent visits? 

• Does referral to Hospice at Home mean that I will be admitted to the Specialist In-Patient Unit?

• When is the service available?

• Do I have to pay for the Hospice at Home Service? 

Is the Hospice at Home service available to me?

The Hospice at Home service is available to patients with specialist palliative care needs living in the Mid-West Region. You can be referred to us by either your GP or Hospital Consultant. 

What will happen after I am referred?

Your GP will be contacted to obtain permission to become involved in your care. Your GP retains responsibility for you in relation to prescribing pain and symptom control. The support provided by the Hospice at Home service is intended to complement the care provided by your GP and Public Health Nurse and never meant to displace them. 

A member of the team will contact you to arrange to meet with you and your family as you so wish.

What happens at a first visit?

A member of the team (frequently, but not always a nurse) will meet with you and your family to explain the Hospice at Home Service, to discuss how you are managing and how the different members of the team can help you. Your permission will be sought for this information to be shared with other team members so that an agreed plan of care and support can be arranged.

What happens during subsequent visits? 

Appointment arrangements will be made with you and your family during service hours. Members of the team may also contact you by telephone or by post from time to time to introduce elements of the service that are aimed at increasing the support you receive.

The members of the team will give you and your family time to talk about any concerns you have in relation to your illness, medications or other issues and will help to answer your questions and give advice. They will also give you information about other services available to you, including the Specialist In-Patient Unit, Irish Cancer Society Night Nursing Service and palliative support beds in your community for respite care. 

Does referral to Hospice at Home mean that I will be admitted to the Specialist In-Patient Unit?

No. Our aim is to keep you comfortable in your own home for as long as possible. However, admission may sometimes be desirable when closer observation is needed in the control of symptoms or when difficulties are experienced by you or your family. 

When is the service available?

• The full service is available Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm
• A limited nursing service is available on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays, from 9am to 5pm
• In association with the Irish Cancer Society, some nursing support is also available Monday to Sunday, from 5pm to 9am
• An Out of Hours Telephone Advisory Service is available for urgent queries and concerns Monday to Sunday, from 5pm to 9am. 

Do I have to pay for the Hospice at Home Service?

No. The Hospice at Home Service is free. There is no charge to patients for any of the Palliative Care Services provided by Milford Care Centre. The services are funded by the HSE Mid-West and through generous support of the community to our Fundraising Department.