Saint Catherine's Hospice

‘You matter because you are you; and you matter to the last moment of your life. We will do all we can, not only to help you die peacefully but also to live until you die.’ – Dame Cecily Saunders, founder of the Hospice movement. If you or someone you know has been told they have an illness and might not get better, then you may have heard of palliative care. This is the care that is given to patients with an illness for which there is no known cure. For some patients, this may mean that specialist care is required. Around half of our patients are learning to live with cancer. The remainder will have a diagnosis from a wide range of other illnesses such as heart disease, respiratory conditions, end stage kidney and liver disease and neurological illnesses. Our team consists of highly-experienced professionals ready to provide specialist palliative care to patients who have highly complex needs. We provide specialist nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, bereavement counsellors, social workers, complementary therapists and spiritual care support. All areas of Saint Catherine’s work are supported by a highly dedicated team of volunteers. We know that learning to live with an incurable, progressive illness goes beyond the treatment of the physical and practical. We know that people are likely to feel many different emotions throughout an illness: from fear and anger to anxiety and guilt. The feelings can be overwhelming at times for both patients and their families and friends. Our holistic approach aims at all times to provide individualised patient care, tailoring the delivery of that care to meet the needs of the patient and those close to them and in accordance with the elements of NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) guideline 138, providing support and guidance for emotional and spiritual wellbeing alongside the clinical care. Patients don’t need to come and stay at the hospice in order to access our services. We have teams that can visit a patient at home. Sometimes, patients may spend time at our Wellbeing Centre or at an outpatient clinic. At times patients may need the round-the-clock care and support provided by our In-Patient Unit. Our staff and volunteers provide a respectful space where patients can chat and laugh, make friends, and ask questions. We understand sadness and listen to fears. All of our hospice services are free of charge to patients and families.