Fact finder

What do you know about hospice care?

Hospices care for people whose illness is life limiting and will not respond to treatment

We care for people with symptoms arising from all kinds of illness - not just cancer. The aim of the care is to increase the quality of the patient’s and their family’s lives by treating difficult symptoms and giving social and psychological support.

Hospices help people complete their lives with dignity and peace

Hospices try to put their patients in the driving seat when agreeing the care that is to be given. For instance, for some people the most important thing will be to remain alert for as long as possible so they can continue to be ‘wife’, ‘husband, ‘mum’, ‘dad’ - or so they can participate in a special occasion.

Hospices meet more than just physical needs

Hospice care is about more than just solving medical problems such as pain, nausea and breathlessness.

Hospices support families and friends

We recognise that in the last year of life most of the nursing and care work is done by families and friends - not by healthcare staff. We aim to help family carers manage the impact this has on their lives - financial, emotional and practical.

Hospices are full of life

Many people fear that a hospice must be a gloomy sad place full of distress. In fact our hospice, like all the others, is full of flowers, laughter and love.

Hospice care is free of charge

Support is provided 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to anyone who needs it and completely free of charge.

Weldmar Hospicecare Trust is a charity

As a registered charity, we are accountable to the people of Dorset who support us.

Weldmar Hospicecare Trust is independent of the NHS

We get a grant from the NHS but over two thirds of the money we spend on patients comes from the generosity of the people of Dorset.