Care Options For Patients
Palliative care options for patients in South Warwickshire
This guide will help you understand the options that may be available for you to receive the best palliative care for your needs. We recommend discussing these options with your GP or other health professionals, as well as friends and family.
Being cared for at home
Shipston Home Nursing provides hospice care at home for patients who want to die in their own homes or familiar surroundings. You do not need to pay for the care provided – it is free to residents in Shipston, Kineton, Wellesbourne, Bidford on Avon and surrounding villages, and patients registered at GP practices in these areas.
Shipston Home Nursing provides hospice care in your home to support you and loved ones. Their service includes emotional support, nursing, personal care and practical support. They work closely with your GP and the district nursing team to manage your health needs and keep you comfortable.
Shipston Home Nursing works alongside neighbouring hospices including Shakespeare Hospice, the Myton Hospices, Campden Home Nursing, Kate’s Home Nursing and Lawrence Nurses. Some patients may also be eligible for support from these services depending on where they live.
Inpatient hospice care
You might prefer to be treated at an inpatient hospice – and in some cases, this may become necessary as your illness progresses. Inpatient hospice services are in high demand and typically only available in the last six weeks of life.
You can also be supported at home by Shipston Home Nursing who will then work with neighbouring inpatient hospices should you need in-patient care at a later stage.
Non-medical personal care
Depending on your circumstances and needs, you might need more regular non-medical care over an extended period to support with personal and household care. This is often referred to as domiciliary care and is provided by several national and local assisted living services. Providers are registered, approved and subject to inspection by the Care Quality Commission.
You and your family might wish to choose a particular care provider. This could be a Care or a Nursing Agency, which generally charge an hourly fee for the care provided. If a ‘live in’ carer is required, the agency might charge a daily or weekly fee. The Care Quality Commission provides an online homecare agency search which includes links to the providers’ latest inspection report. This can be found here:
Residential care
In some cases, patients and families choose residential care as the best option for safe care. In this case, you would live in a purpose built or modified building, supported by nurses and or healthcare assistants. The Care Quality Commission also regulates care homes and provides a useful guide to locate Residential Care Homes.
Shipston Home Nursing is still able to provide hospice at home services to you if you are in a local residential care home. Their care focuses on the particular needs of patients towards the end of life and is separate from the day-to-day nursing support provided in a care home.
Funding for non-medical or residential care
Hospice care is free of charge whatever your circumstances.
However, residential and non-medical care may need to be self-funded depending on your situation. Some people with long-term complex health needs qualify for free social care arranged and funded solely by the NHS. This is known as NHS Continuing Health Care and is explained in more detail in our resources section.
You can get independent advice about care funding from Age UK or Citizens’ Advice or Macmillan.
Download a pdf of this resource; Care options for patients