ST ANNE'S HOSPICE - DEDICATED TO THE TOTAL CARE OF EVERY PATIENT

ST ANNE'S HOSPICE CARE SERVICES	JOB VACANCIES - CONTACT US

SETTING THE SCENE
Care at St. Anne's Hospice is based on the ideals of the Hospice movement -
	We provide care free of charge.
	The people we help are all equally welcome.
	We help patients and their families to keep control and to have choices.
	We provide skilled medical and nursing care with staff who are specially trained in palliative care.
	We use a mixture of skills and techniques through multi-disiplinary teamwork.
	We aim to provide an integrated service with other external services.
	We try to help people to live life to the full and to approach death in an atmosphere of peace, respect and calm.
	We support loved ones through the patients illness and on into bereavement.

WHAT IS PALLIATIVE CARE?

The World Health Organisation [WHO] in 1990 produced the following definition -

'Palliative Care is the active care of patients whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment. The control of pain, of other symptons, and of psychological, social and spiritual problems is paramount.'

Today, palliative care is not exclusive to patients who are unresponsive to curative treatment. On the contrary, patients can expect to receive palliative care at any stage in their disease process and while undergoing active treatment. Specialist palliative care is aimed at patients who have complex needs and require input from a specialist team or unit, particularly when their disease is progressive and advanced. Care at St Anne's hospice is not limited to cancer patients. A small percentage of our patients are suffering from other advancing and life limiting illness such as: Multiple sclerosis, Motor neurone disease, Respiratory and Heart disease.

QUICK HOSPICE FACTS

Provides 10 specialist palliative care beds
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High standards of professional care
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Multi-disciplinary team
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Opened in 1994
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Free to all people who live within the catchment area

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HOW IS SOMEONE ADMITTED TO ST. ANNE'S HOSPICE?
Admission is offered to adult patients who require specialist palliative care and live within the five boroughs which make up the former Gwent i.e. Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouth, Newport and Torfaen. Referrals are usually made by a patients G.P., hospital doctor or the palliative care team from the community and the local hospitals. Patients may come into the hospice for a short time to get difficult symptoms under control or in the advanced stages of their illness. Our team are very skilled in keeping patients as comfortable as possible and at providing emotional and spiritual support through difficult times. Families, friends and pets are welcome to visit throughout the day and evening. Arrangements can be made for relatives to stay overnight if patients are very ill.
BALANCING HUMAN VALUES AND PROFESSIONAL CARE	PROVIDING AN INTEGRATED SERVICE OF CARE
At St Anne's Hospice we continually monitor, audit, evaluate and improve our standards of care through both internal and external systems [including Investors in People and Heath Quality Service]. Our delivery of services aims to be professional while valuing each patient as an individual.	St Anne's Hospice works with many other agencies in the broad spectrum of Palliative Care Providers. We aim. as far as possible, to provide an integrated service enabling the patient and their family to experience a minimum of disrption as they move to and from our care.

MULTI-DISCIPLINARY CARE TEAM

THE MEDICAL TEAM

Patients are cared for by an Consultant in palliative medicine and an associate specialist who is based at St Anne's Hospicem. A resident medical officer is available to assist the medical team. They are supported by a consultant who is the lead clinician for Cancer and Palliative care for Gwent healthcare NHS Trust.

The medical staff are responsible for admitting patients to the unit, assessing their need and determining their medical management. This is carried out following discussion with the patient and their family. The patients' consent however, is always obtained before any aspect of their condition or care is discussed with a family member.

THE NURSING TEAM

St. Anne's has an enthusiastic, conscientious and committed nursing team. The aim is to achieve high standards of nursing care while maintaining patient privacy and dignity, encouraging independence and involving the family, if this is felt to be appropriate.

The team are specifically trained in palliative care issues and have a diverse range of nursing background and expertise, complementing each other and that of the wider multidisciplinary team.

THE SOCIAL WORKER

For many patients and their families the Social Worker provides a vital link between the Hospice and the range of agencies which support the care patients' may receive when they return home.

They can help and advise people with many practical issues, including referral to a Welfare Officer for assistance with financial difficulties and benefit claims. Support and counselling is also offered to people facing the emotional and psychological consequences of coming to terms with a life changing situation or bereavement.

THE PHYSIOTHERAPIST

The aim of the Physiotherapist is to improve quality of life by minimising the effects of a patients' disease or treatment, helping individuals to maintain independence and gain relief from distressing symptoms. For example, help with mobility, balance and coordination, posture and some aspects of pain relief.

Patients and their carers may also benefit from advice concerning the easiest and safest way to achieve everyday tasks such as transferring from bed to chair.

PASTORAL CARE TEAM

St. Anne's hospice has a Chaplaincy team - this group of volunteers includes Church ministers and trained lay visitors.

Members of the team visit the hospice on a regular basis and aim to meet the Spiritual and Pastoral care needs of patients, their families and the staff.

Ongoing bereavement support is offered to families and friends. The chaplaincy team offer support to people of all faiths and to those who have none.

HOSPICE VOLUNTEERS

A small number of volunteers work in the hospice alongside the clinical team. They bring along a variety of life experience and skills which helps to improve the patients' quality time.

Some have specific skills such as aromatherapy or massage, manicure and hairdressing which the patients enjoy. Others possess equally important qualities such as good listening skills, being able to read to a patient or just sit with them is both worthwhile and rewarding.

All our volunteers have very personal reasons for offering their time and their time is appreciated by everyone.

THE SUPPORTING TEAM

Patients in the hospice and the staff working there, also benefit from the close proximity of St. Joseph's hospital for supporting services such as radiology, pathology, catering and housekeeping.

PROVIDING AN INTEGRATED SERVICE

The staff at the hospice work closely with external agencies, including other palliative care providers and colleagues in Gwent healthcare NHS trust. This allows patients and their families to experience a smooth transition between hospice and home, with the least amount of disruption.

BALANCING HUMAN VALUES WITH PROFESSIONAL CARE

We help people to feel that they matter and are cared for. We will not lose sight of the person behind the disease. We value the patients as unique individuals who have made a unique contribution to the lives of their family and their friends.

St. Anne's hospice is inspected by the Care Standards Inspectorate for Wales and accredited by HQS and Investors in People.