Other Informationimportant

Future Planning

Advance Care Planning

When facing a life limiting illness, it is important that those caring for you are able to offer you the help and support that you need. This involves getting to know you, understanding what matters most to you, and who is important to you. As part of the process of planning your care a member of the clinical team may ask you about your preferences for care in the future - a process called Advance Care Planning. This is to enable you to think about some of the options that may be available to you in the future and to express your wishes.

Lasting Power Of Attorney

We will always support your right to make your own decisions. If this becomes more difficult for you because of your illness, we will make every effort to support and involve you in making any decision that affects you.

A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you (the ‘donor’) appoint one or more people (known as ‘attorneys’) to help you make decisions or to make decisions on your behalf. This gives you more control over what happens to you if you cannot make your own decisions.

There are two types of LPA: health and welfare, and property and financial affairs. You can choose to make one type or both.

To register a Lasting Power of Attorney you will need to apply online: www.gov.uk/ government/publications/make-a-lastingpower-of-attorney

Advance Decisions to Refuse Treatment (ADRT)

ADRT is a written statement, which lets other people know about any specific treatments that you do not want to have in certain situations. It means they will know your wishes if you are unable to make decisions yourself.

Before making an ADRT, it is important to discuss it with one of your healthcare professionals. You will need to review your ADRT regularly to make sure it is up to date and reflects your current wishes.

Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR)

You may hear doctors or nurses talk about DNACPR. This is a document stating that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is not going to be helpful to you and should not be attempted. CPR is a way of trying to restart the heart and breathing when they have stopped. Talk to your healthcare team about making a decision about CPR.

Specific wishes

It is important to tell us if you have created a Lasting Power of Attorney or if there are specific wishes which you would like us to follow.

ReSPECT

Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment is a document that allows you to express your end of life treatment and care wishes when you are unable to make or express a choice. If you have a ReSPECT document or would like to discuss one, please let us know.

Wills

There are many important reasons for making a Will. Without a Will, the law sets out the rules that apply and so your assets may not be dealt with as you would wish. Most solicitors are able to visit the Hospice. Please be aware that no member of staff or volunteer is permitted to witness the signing of a Will.

Organ Donation

What is organ donation?

Many people in the UK are waiting for a new organ as their own have stopped working properly and they need an organ transplant. When we die, we might be able to give our organs to help someone who needs a transplant.

The organ donation system in England now makes it easier for people to become donors. You can register your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register, tell loved ones your decision or choose to do nothing. If you choose to do nothing, you will be treated as having no objection to becoming an organ donor and your consent will be deemed.

Telling your loved oneS your decision helps them if you die in a way where donation is an option. When approached, your loved ones will know your organ donation decision and be able to honour that decision.

Do I need to make a choice?

No. However, if you don’t register a decision (opt in or out on the NHS Organ Donor Register or tell your family) then you will be treated as having no objection to being a donor. This is known as deemed consent. You can ‘appoint a representative’ if you wish. This means that you can ask a friend, family member or religious leader to make the decision for you.

If you would like to talk to someone about your choices then call 0300 303 2094.

Equality and Diversity Support

St Wilfrid’s Hospice provides access to highquality palliative care for all, inclusive of age, gender, faith, race, ethnicity and sexual orientation. St Wilfrid’s staff and volunteers commit to treating everyone with respect, and sensitivity without discrimination.

This includes addressing the health inequalities and accessibility issues experienced by many people who are in need of our services. It is safe to disclose any information to St Wilfrid’s staff.

We also aim to cultivate and foster links with all communities in an effort to raise awareness of the Hospice and understand how we can help.

How we support LGBTQ+ people at end of life

Sexual orientation and gender identity can be significant parts of who someone is. Supporting someone with a terminal illness includes allowing them to feel comfortable to express themselves.

Some people feel more comfortable than others about sharing information related to their LGBTQ+ identity. Sharing your gender identity and sexual orientation may be important in relation to treatment preferences, and your priorities. When facing life limiting illness, those close to you may also need support. Sharing information about who is close to you can also help to make sure their needs are considered and will also help health and social care professionals to know who you would like involved in discussions and decisions about your care.

Veterans

We are interested in knowing if you have ever served for at least one day in the Armed Forces or Merchant Navy, as we may be able to put you in touch with veteran support groups. We may also be able to apply for additional funding so we can continue to help you and others like yourself.

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.

Private Health Insurance

There are no charges to anyone for our services. However, if you have a policy for private health insurance St Wilfrid’s Hospice may be able to request a small donation towards your care from your insurance company. This will not affect your policy and you will not be asked to pay an excess.

However, it will help us to continue to help others into the future.

St Wilfrid’s Hospice will write to your insurance company with the dates of any home visits by one of our doctors or nurses and/or admission to the ward you may have had. The insurance company will then make a gift to the Hospice towards your care.

Access to clinical records

Currently it is not possible for you to access your record on the Hospice’s electronic clinical record called SystmOne. However, if you would like a print out of an individual consultation or record please ask your doctor or nurse.

Copies of clinical correspondence

In some clinical settings people are invited to ask for copies of clinical letters sent, for example, from their Consultant to their GP. This is not done routinely at St Wilfrid’s, but if you would like a copy of the letters please ask your nurse or doctor.

CCTV Surveillance

So that we can protect you and your loved ones and ensure the premises is secure, safe and protected, especially out of hours, we operate a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) system. The systems will be provided and operated in a way that meets our legal obligations and with an individual’s right to privacy.

Surveillance cameras are located at strategic points around the Hospice building, principally at the entrance and exit points and the external environment such as the garden and car park. The surveillance cameras are not focussed on any areas where privacy is important. Where external cameras can overlook rooms ‘privacy screens’ on the camera image have been fitted.

CCTV signs will be prominently in place to inform you and your visitors that a CCTV installation is in use. These signs state that monitoring is in use, the name of the organisation responsible, and gives contact details for any enquiries.

If you have any questions or concerns about the use of CCTV please ask a member of staff.

Illicit / Recreational Drugs

We are aware that drug use is a sensitive issue and asking about it may cause anxieties for you. However, it is important that you are open with us about any drug use so we can tailor our care to your needs. We may have a conversation with you about how the drugs may be affecting your health.

Illicit substances cannot be brought onto our premises and we may ask you or your visitor to leave if this is found to be the case.

Your Data Matters

To help the NHS, to improve your individual care, plan local services and research new treatments or services we will share anonymised information about your health and the care you receive.

National Data Share: We submit activity data to the NHS commissioners and other bodies annually. This does not contain individual patient data.

Surveys: You may be asked to complete surveys about the Hospice and sometimes about individual members of the team as part of their professional development.

Audit and Research: On occasions, we use anonymised data for a clinical audit. The surveys and audits help us to improve the quality of our services. This may involve the sharing of anonymised de-identified patient data with other researchers.