When you arrive

On arrival you will be welcomed by a member of staff and shown to your room.  Shortly afterwards (normally within 2 hours) a doctor and nurse will meet you to assess and discuss your needs, giving you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. When you have settled in, your named nurse will be happy to show you around the rest of the building. Do feel free to move around the hospice as you wish.

All the team will do their utmost to make you feel comfortable and "at home". They are available to discuss all aspects of your care and any more personal matters if you and your family/friends would find that helpful. Please tell us if you have any particular requirements.

North London Hospice is committed to providing care that respects the dignity and diversity of our patients, and is given in consultation with them and the significant people in their lives.

Medicines

Initially your nurses will give your medicines to you as they may be subject to change. If you would like to administer your own medicines, a nurse or doctors will be happy to discuss this with you.

Ward Rounds

Although the team of doctors is available Monday to Friday (9am to 5pm), they visit all the patients every Monday and Thursday morning and at other times as necessary. A doctor is always "on-call".

Social Work Service

The social work service is provided by a team of qualified and experienced social workers. They are part of the multi professional team within the Hospice and available Monday – Friday 9am – 5.30pm. The service aims to provide emotional and social support for patients, their families and carers.

Although your team of carers is regularly available, towards the middle of your stay we offer you the opportunity to meet with them and talk about your ongoing care and needs. You may wish to involve your family/friends in what we refer to as a "family meeting".

The Chaplaincy

Whether one identifies with a particular faith or not, coming to the Hospice can be a time when matters of a spiritual nature are especially important. Issues with a specifically religious dimension or questions about the meaning and purpose of life might come to the fore.

The Hospice is served by a multi-faith Chaplaincy team with ministers representing the Christian (Catholic, Church of England and Free churches), Hindu, Jewish (Progressive and Orthodox) and Muslim traditions. Each day a member of the chaplaincy team will visit all the patients, unless individual requests to the contrary have been expressed, to listen and respond to any human or spiritual need that  might have arisen. The chaplains do not come to preach or convert to their own faith but minister out of a sense of their common humanity. Patients are also invited to receive visits from their own Minister and staff are happy to contact him/her when requested.

The Hospice retains contacts with faith leaders from other traditions and there is also  a representative from the British Humanist Association who is happy to come and talk and offer support to those with no religious beliefs.

Room for Quiet

The "Room of Quiet" is always open - a place for contemplation or prayer or simply to be quiet. Patients or visitors, whether identifying with a particular faith or not, are welcome to use this room. The design allows ease of access to those in wheelchairs or in bed and since it has no faith symbols on display, it provides a place of sanctuary, refuge and tranquility to all.

In the Room of Quiet there is a library of books from the major faiths and religious artefacts which are available for use within the Room or to borrow. They include prayer books from the various faiths, holy water, prayer mats, rosary beads, etc.
Each week a service is held in the Room of Quiet, alternating between a non-denominational event (poetry reading, for example) and a service with is faith specific but inclusive.

Meals

Your meals will usually be served as follows:

Breakfast         8.30am to 11am (but flexible)
Lunch               12.30pm Monday to Friday
                          12 Noon Weekends
Supper               6pm

Tea, Coffee and snacks are always available on request.

Our staff will offer you a choice of meals including vegetarian. Halal and Kosher foods will be provided on request. Please let the staff know if you have a special diet. You may wish to have some home cooking and your family are welcome to bring this in. There is a small fridge in each room.

Due to European legislation regarding food, it is necessary that the nurse-in-charge be informed if foods are brought into the building and that they are labelled with your  name and the date as they may only be kept for 48 hours. This also means staff are prohibited from reheating food (e.g. home-cooked meals).

Alcohol

Before meals, staff will offer an alcoholic drink to patients free of charge but you may prefer to bring in your "tipple".

Smoking

Patients who wish to smoke may do so in the patients' sitting room. It would be helpful if you mention this to your named nurse on arrival. The Hospice has a no smoking policy for staff and visitors.

Your help in requesting your visitors not to smoke in the Hospice building would be appreciated.

Leisure and Recreation

Newspapers are available but need to be ordered the day before.  Books, magazines, and a selection of “talking books” are available.  Please ask your nurses.

Television and radio are provided.  There is a video machine and a selection of videos that may be borrowed.  A range of music is available on cassette and cassette players may also be borrowed.

Complementary Therapies

Volunteer complementary therapists visit the hospice on certain days and provide massage, reflexology, acupuncture and aromatherapy to patients free of charge.  Please ask a nurse to make an appointment for you.

Chiropody

Chiropody is available on certain days.  Please ask a nurse to arrange an appointment for you.

Hairdressing

Volunteer hairdressers visit the Hospice on certain days.  Please make appointments through the nursing staff.  No charge is made for cuts or shampoo and set.  Perms and colourings are possible if you provide your own products.

Health Records

You have a right to see your health records in certain circumstances.  Please talk to the nurse in charge if you want to discuss this further.