Hospice Care Services

Although most of our care is provided in people’s homes, a number of the services run by Dorothy House Hospice Care are based at and run from the hospice in Winsley. These services include the physical therapies, as well as complementary therapies, the In-Patient Unit and the Day Patient Unit.

Complementary Therapies

At Dorothy House we have a team of complementary therapists, including professionally qualified volunteers, who can give treatments to patients and carers referred by nurse specialists, or by In-Patient Unit or Day Patient Unit staff. The therapies we offer at the moment are aromatherapy, reflexology, relaxation, reiki and Indian head massage (for carers only), all of which can help relax and improve general well-being.

The Day Patient Unit

Our Day Patient Unit is open on weekdays, offering an opportunity to meet and share with people facing similar problems, in a safe and friendly environment. The Day Patient Unit team, which includes health professionals, therapists, a creative co-ordinator and volunteers, can enable the patient to lead as full and independent a life as possible. The team are on hand to monitor symptoms, answer any concerns and offer help to cope with the present situation and future planning.

Once a patient has been referred to the Day Patient Unit by a nurse specialist or another health professional, a nurse from the unit will arrange a visit to assess needs and agree a plan for care. The weekly sessions give patients the chance to meet new friends, develop hobbies and interests, enjoy a delicious home-cooked lunch and have a lot of fun.

There is no need to worry about transport - our volunteer drivers will pick the patient up from home, and take them back at the end of the day. Pati ents can come along for an agreed length of time, with regular reviews. For six months after discharge, patients will be invited to a monthly coffee morning.

The In-Patient Unit

The In-Patient Unit provides short-term care – usually for a maximum of seven to ten A patient may be referred to the Unit after consultation with a GP, hospital doctor, district nurse or Dorothy House nurse specialist.

There are a number of reasons for referral. Some people come in for a few days to have their needs assessed and to help relieve symptoms such as pain or anxiety.

Patients can also spend some time in the unit to give a full-time carer a break. A small number of patients come in for the last few days of their lives.

The In-Patient Unit has recently been updated and refurbished: all eight bedrooms are en-suite, and have views over the beautiful grounds. Every room also has a TV, CD and cassette player, and we will soon be able to provide internet access via laptop computers.