Glossary
A
Advance care planning
Planning ahead for your care needs so that your family and healthcare team know what you would ideally like to happen. This can be done at any time and is often completed following diagnosis of a life-limiting illness. Our nursing team can support you and your family through these discussions if that would help. This advanced care planning video helps explain some of the options you may want to consider.
Anticipatory grief/pre-bereavement
A feeling of loss that begins before someone dies as their health declines. Patients themselves can experience anticipatory grief following diagnosis of a terminal illness.
B
C
Continuing Healthcare (CHC)
This is a package of care provided by the NHS to meet a patient’s primary health needs in their own home. Some of our patients also receive CHC funding if their wider health needs require support that would not typically be covered by our care such as personal care over a longer period. Applying for CHC can be complex. Free, independent advice is provided by an organisation called Beacon. Visit the Beacon website or call their free helpline on 0345 548 0300.
D
E
End of life care
End-of-life refers to the last stage of life, usually the last six weeks.
F
G
H
Healthcare assistant
Healthcare assistants (HCAs) are an integral part of our nursing team, working alongside our registered nurses. HCAs work with patients and families to provide respite care and occasional personal care. They are not trained nurses but are experienced in palliative care. All our HCAs have strong caring skills and are passionate about giving patients and their loved ones the very best care possible.
Home Nursing
In the context of Shipston Home Nursing, home nursing refers to the hospice at home care we deliver which is nurse-led. Our palliative nursing care is provided free of charge regardless of your circumstances, provided you are an adult eligible for hospice care in the areas we cover.
Hospice Care
This term is used to describe the specialist end-of-life care provided by hospices, including Shipston Home Nursing. In our case, we specifically provide hospice care within a patient’s home. Some hospices also offer in-patient beds. Hospice care is a free service funded largely by donations and grants. Hospices receive a small grant from the NHS which, in Shipston Home Nursing’s case, covers just 6% of the cost of running our service.
J
K
L
Life-limiting illness
An illness for which there is no cure and which shortens your life. This can include some forms of cancer, heart disease, respiratory disease and neurological conditions.
M
N
O
P
Palliative care
Specialist patient care which begins from the point of a terminal diagnosis and focuses on relieving symptoms and maintaining quality of life. Patients may continue to receive treatment to reduce the severity or slow the progress of their condition, alongside emotional and physical health support.
Personal care
Personal care relates to the washing, dressing and personal hygiene needs of patients, including toileting support where required. Our hospice nursing team offers free personal care during the later stages of our support so that we can help when you need it the most. Typically this support is provided in the last six weeks of life, but every patient is different and we do our best to adapt to your needs.
Pre-bereavement
Also called anticipatory grief, pre-bereavement is a feeling of loss that begins before someone dies as their health declines. Patients themselves can experience anticipatory grief following diagnosis of a terminal illness.
Q
R
Referral
The process of requesting support from a different provider. A referral to Shipston Home Nursing can be made by any health professional, family member, carer or patient (self-referral)
ReSPECT form or process
A Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment (ReSPECT) records your preferences and priorities for emergency care in situations where you cannot express your wishes. It will often include specific instructions about whether to attempt resuscitation if your heart or breathing stops.
Respite care
A service which allows families or carers some time to rest or have a break. Shipston Home Nursing offers respite care including night sits to enable families and loved ones to get a good night’s sleep.
S
Symptom manager
Supporting patients by monitoring symptoms and adjusting medication or other treatments to alleviate discomfort or pain. Our nursing team work alongside district nurses and GPs to manage symptoms and ensure patients are as comfortable and well cared for as possible.
Syringe driver
A medical device which allows medication to be administered continuously for up to 24 hours at a time to help manage your symptoms and keep you comfortable.
T
Terminal condition
A life-limiting illness which will continue to progress despite treatment and is expected to lead to a person’s death