Due to the increased cases of Covid-19 at this time, whist visiting patients is still allowed we have requested visitors to undertake additional testing and this is explained in more detail by our nursing team.

The Hospice continues to follow government guidance to ensure the safety of all patients, staff, volunteers and visitors  https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Good hand hygiene is the best way of protecting yourself, our patients and our staff. If you are visiting the Hospice please ensure that you follow the following guidance.

Please wash your hands with soap and water:

• before leaving home
• on arrival at the hospice
• after using the toilet
• before eating any food, including snacks
• before leaving the Hospice
• on arrival at home
• and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands

Hospice services are currently operating as follows:

Living Well Services

Adult and children’s bereavement counselling services for anyone with a West Cheshire GP, regardless of the place or cause of death, are being provided face to face, by telephone or video consultation. There are Bereavement Help Points held at Ellesmere Port Library and Chester Storyhouse twice a month. Email bereavement@hospicegs.com to register. Referrals for any of the above services can be made by a professional involved in your care or by self-referral. Please contact 01244 853 193 for more information or email bereavement@hospicegs.com

Living Well Centre for people living with an advanced life limiting condition and those who care for anyone in this situation, are being provided through face to face sessions, face to face small group work, drop in sessions and  telephone support. For more information please clink on this link https://www.hospiceofthegoodshepherd.com/living-well-service/

The spiritual care coordinator and hospice social worker are available to speak with patients and visitors within the hospice by appointment and can be contacted on 01244 851 091.

Medical Outpatients

These services are being provided as a combination of face to face sessions and telephone consultations according to clinical need, as agreed with DR Bokhari. Patients attending for face to face consultations must follow the guidance below:

Before coming to the appointment

The patient or anyone accompanying them must not attend if they have:

• any symptoms of COVID-19: a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, a loss or change to sense of smell or taste
• been in contact with anyone with COVID-19 symptoms,
• been identified as needing to self-isolate through the NHS test and trace system or to quarantine due to recent travel abroad.
• Please advise us of any special needs which may impact on the appointment e.g. mobility assistance, assistance with communication so this can be planned prior to the visit.

On arrival at the Hospice

• Only 1 visitor may accompany the patient to the appointment
• A volunteer will greet the patient on arrival and will ask the patient and visitor to confirm that that they do not have any of the symptoms identified above or any restrictions on their movement
• The patient and visitor will need to wear a face covering throughout the visit. Where patients or visitors are unable to wear the PPE due to health conditions or a disability, the doctor will discuss with the visitor what other Infection Prevention and Control measures are required
• Please contact the Living Well Centre as soon as possible if either the patient or visitor develops any COVID-19 symptoms after the appointment as this may have implications for staff and volunteers

Inpatient Unit

The Hospice Inpatient Unit remains open. Referrals for adults with advanced, progressive, life-limiting disease will be considered and prioritised on the basis of clinical need when they have complex physical, emotional, psychosocial or spiritual needs which cannot be met in the current place of care. Referral needs to be made by another health care professional involved in their care.

Visiting On The Inpatient Unit

Visiting hours are 1.30 – 4pm and 5 – 7.30pm

The Hospice is constantly reviewing its practice with regards to compassionate visiting arrangements whilst working within government guidance and considering patient, staff and visitor safety at all times.  Patients and visitors will be advised of the specific arrangements for their situation prior to admission and if and when their situation changes over the course of their stay with us. All patients on the unit are identified as low, medium or high risk in relation their COVID19 status.

Two visitors may accompany the patient on their day of admission and daily face to face visiting is available for a maximum of two adult visitors at any one visiting time. High risk patients (those who present with symptoms of COVID19 or have had a recent positive test) can continue to receive visitors, how this works will be discussed on an individual basis.

For patients identified as significantly deteriorating or being in the last days of their life we are able to be more flexible and patients may have two visitors in any one room throughout the day.

All visitors need to sign in with nursing staff on arrival. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms of COVID19 – a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, or anyone who is isolating because they have been in contact with someone with these symptoms or who has been advised to isolate for other reasons must not visit the Hospice. All face to face visitors are requested to complete an onsite lateral flow test twice a week prior to a visit and are required to wear a face mask (provided by the Hospice) for the duration of their visit. 

The answers to the following frequently asked questions may also be helpful:

Can children visit?

We will discuss on an individual basis the possibility of children visiting. This will be managed on a case by case basis. Children should not be brought to the hospice before there has been a discussion and an agreed plan made with a member of the senior nursing team. Our family support service has a number of resources and information available to help families support any children at this time. Please speak to the nurse in charge for more information.

Can we bring food in to the hospice?

Food can be brought into the hospice when you are visiting. At present we cannot store food at the hospice apart from in exceptional circumstances following discussion with a member of the senior nursing team.

How do we manage laundry?

Patients do still require their own clothes for their hospice stay: night clothes and possibly loose comfortable clothing for daytime depending on their situation. Nursing staff are able to place used clothing into bags and pass to visitors and receive clean clothing at visiting times.

Any specific concerns regarding visiting arrangements to be directed to the senior nursing team: Liz Taylor – Director of Clinical Services, Debbie Evans – Ward Manager and Infection Prevention and Control Lead, or Louise Saville King – Deputy Ward Manager via the main hospice number 01244 851091.

You may find this booklet helpful when explaining to children about COVID-19

You may find this keeping in touch document helpful when you are unable to visit as you would wish

Please also read our visiting leaflets: 

Guidance for visiting inpatients during Coronavirus Pandemic

Thank you for your help and co-operation.

Liz Taylor, Director of Clinical Services

Dr Alison Coackley, Consultant in Palliative Medicine/Medical Director