Facilities on the ward

The Hospice has been furnished to a high standard with specialist equipment to aid your comfort and support independence.

Your privacy and dignity are very important to us, and you will be cared for in a single room with an en-suite shower room.

Facilities we provide include:

Digital television and radio

Access to Wi-Fi

A lockable drawer in a bedside locker

Rooms with French doors opening onto a patio and garden

Our specialists plan admissions based on the support that you require rather than how long you may have been on the waiting list. This means you may have to wait for a few days until a room is available. If you require urgent support, we can admit you over the weekend when we have availability.

We understand that coming into the Hospice can be quite daunting, so we are happy to show you and your loved ones around beforehand, this may help you to feel more comfortable and give you the opportunity to ask more questions.

Our ward nursing staff provide 24 hour nursing care and are well trained and experienced in providing you with the support you need. If there is anything you need during your stay with us, please just feel free to ask. It is important for all the team at St Wilfrid’s Hospice to provide you and your loved ones with the highest level of care possible, personal to you.

The ward provides short stay care. We are unable to provide long stay care. Your ongoing and long term care is carefully planned based on what you may need, this will be done in full discussion with you and if appropriate your loved ones, the GP, the NHS community teams and St Wilfrid’s Nurse Specialists.

A mobile phone is available so that you may receive calls

Towels and linen

Separate bathrooms with a Jacuzzi bath

What to bring with you

Most people bring in their nightclothes, dressing gown, slippers and toiletries. We encourage you to bring in clothes for when you feel able to get dressed during the day.

You may wish to bring in your own electrical items but we need to check the safety before they are used in the Hospice. Please let the nursing staff know what devices you have brought in.

Valuables

We cannot take responsibility for the safekeeping of any large amounts of cash or valuable jewellery so please leave them at home or give them to a family member.

Meals

We serve breakfast, lunch and dinner; if required there are snacks and drinks available throughout the day, evening and night. Our chef will visit you daily to check your menu choices and any special dietary requirements you may have. If you would like something that is not on the menu, please ask.

The ward kitchen is an area for you and your visitors to use. Please feel free to help yourselves to any provisions such as tea, coffee and cold drinks from the kitchen. There is no charge for these, but any donations are always gratefully received.

Coffee Shop and Vending Machine

You and your visitors are welcome to use the café facilities. A vending machine is also available in the ward kitchen for snacks and drinks.

Alcohol

If you enjoy an alcoholic drink, you are welcome to bring in your ‘usual tipple’. A volunteer may offer you a drink prior to a meal. Your nurse or doctor will advise if you should not drink alcohol when taking certain medications. Excessive and harmful alcohol use and drunken and disorderly behaviour by patients or visitors will not be tolerated.

Smoking and e-cigarettes

If you are on oxygen therapy, for your own safety, you must discontinue your oxygen at least 20 minutes before smoking. Please be

Keeping in Touch

Internet Access

Our Hospice Wi-Fi is: STWH Guestnetwork. The Password is: wilfrid2013

Telephone

Calls to reception can be transferred to the ward mobile for patients to use. You are more than welcome to use your own mobile phone and charge it during the day. We asked for fire safety reasons that charging electronic devices is done during the day before 5.00pm.

Newspapers

A daily newspaper is available. Each day a volunteer will come to your room, check your preference, and collect your money, they will then deliver your paper to you later in the morning.

If you are having difficulty connecting to the internet please let us know and our technician will be able to assist you in setting up the connection.

aware that even after oxygen is turned off, increased oxygen levels still linger on hair, skin and clothing. This can create a danger of serious burns to the head, face and chest when lighting up or using a vapour device.

Herbal Medicines

You may be taking a herbal preparation such as CBD oil or hemp oil that has been purchased as food supplements in a health store or online. Whilst we are not able to prescribe or administer these supplements and may advise you that they may not be safe to take, you are welcome to bring them in with you. The use of illegal drugs is not tolerated on our premises.

Television

There is terrestrial or Freeview television with a remote control available in each room. We do not have facility for cable or satellite channels.

For those who are hard of hearing you will be offered Bluetooth headphones so that you may listen to the TV or radio in comfort without disturbing other patients and visitors.

Use of video calling

Some families may wish to use technology to be a presence during your stay especially if they are not able to be with you. We fully support this way of keeping in touch. There will be times when we will be giving you some personal care so for your privacy, we will ask visitors and loved ones to leave the room and in the case of video calling will ask for the connection to be disconnected whilst we assist you in the care you need.

Letters to loved ones

We'd like to make it easier for you to keep in touch with your friends or family members while they're staying on our Inpatient Unit. Many patients will be able to pick up the phone and call or message their friends and family members themselves. However, not all will be able to do this. If you would like to send a message or a letter to a loved one who is currently an inpatient at St Wilfrid’s Hospice in Bosham, please do so by email on: ward.patients@stwh.co.uk

Covert Surveillance

Covert surveillance is described as the use of a secret hidden cameras or other recording equipment to monitor someone’s care. St Wilfrid’s Hospice will not do this and will always discuss with you when using technology to assist in your care. However, some families may feel worried about how you are being looked after and may consider using hidden cameras or recording equipment to monitor the care we give. If you or your family are worried about the care you are receiving, we would like to encourage you to tell us about your concerns before you consider taking such action so we can use your feedback to take immediate action.

Installing a hidden camera that captures intimate personal care affects that individual’s privacy and can be an intrusion on others using the service. These people may feel you are affecting their human rights.

Visiting

All visitors including children are welcome. We have a number of family lounge areas where your visitors can relax. It may be possible for a loved one to stay overnight, if appropriate. This is limited to one person.

Please discuss with the nursing staff if this is possible.

Visiting times are open but having lots of visitors or prolonged visits can often be tiring, the nurses can help you manage this if you wish them to do so. We suggest that visitors do not overcrowd bedrooms and use the lounge areas to take a break.

We have some limited facilities for children, and baby changing facilities. For safety reasons we ask visitors to sign in and out at reception.

Visitors Parking

Onsite parking is free for visitors with easy access to the building. Visitors are asked to keep the ambulance bay at the patient entrance clear. Walton Lane is a narrow country lane and visitors are strongly advised not to park along the lane.

Fire Alarm

If the fire alarm is activated for any reason, visitors will be asked to evacuate the building by the nearest fire exit and move to the assembly point located by the ward. If necessary, they can be assisted by members of staff.

Nursing staff will remain with you and depending on where the fire is located they will move you to a place of safety or evacuate the building with you.

Pets

Dogs are welcome to visit, and if you have any other pets you would like to see please ask a member of staff. We respectfully ask that they be supervised at all times such as keeping them on a lead and not allowing them on the furniture. Unfortunately, they cannot stay overnight and we ask that waste is removed and correctly disposed of.

We have several volunteer Pets As Therapy (PAT) dogs that would love to come in and visit you, please do let one of the nurses know if you would like to meet one.

Laundry

Whilst we do have the ability to provide some laundry facilities we ask that if possible you make arrangements to have a relative take away routine laundry.

Hairdresser

A volunteer hairdresser visits most Thursday afternoons. Please let a nurse or ward clerk know if you wish to have a haircut. This is free, although donations to the Hospice are gratefully received.

Lighting

Throughout the building, smart technology has been installed to control the lighting and ensure it is energy efficient. In your room, this can be manually operated from the bed head to provide whatever lighting needs you require. However, at night we like to try to provide a restful environment so at certain times the ward corridor, family lounges and snugs as well as the car park, garden and courtyard lights will dim and then automatically switch off at set times.

Alternative lighting can be provided for the family lounges if necessary.

Quiet Area and Chapel

A quiet area and chapel are located near the ward reception; it is a space for everyone; faith or no faith. You can light a candle, pray, read, write down your thoughts or just enjoy some peace and tranquility.

We hold Christian services on a regular basis, but you are welcome to practice your own faith, on your own or with others.

A visitor’s book and the Books of Remembrance are also available.

Chaperone

We are committed to respecting your wishes and to ensure you have the best possible experience from our services and staff. Please talk with a member of staff if you would like another healthcare worker to act as your chaperone during your consultation or treatment.