Referrals
Making a referral
Any health or social care professional (with the patient's consent) may refer, however patients may contact the Hospice directly but will be advised to contact their GP/health care professional involved in their care to submit a referral form. An assessment will be completed as to suitability for day hospice. Regular reviews will take place and a discharge date may be agreed.
The referral form used to access our palliative care services is available below. Please indicate which service is required. As much information as possible at the time of referral is appreciated including a fully completed referral form, patient summary and relevant letters from hospital consultants.
Specialist Palliative Care Referral form
Specialist Palliative Care Referral form (MS Word 288KB)
Joseph Weld Hospice provides specialist palliative care and expertise to augment and support the care already provided by primary health care teams, the specialist home care nurses, and the community and general hospitals.
Reasons for referral can include:
- symptom assessment and management
- complex psychological or social problems
- terminal care
- respite care
Inpatient symptom control or terminal care
GPs or consultants should contact the Palliative Care Consultants by telephone to discuss admission and follow this up with a fax or letter. Specialist palliative care nurses, following consultation with the patient's GP, can contact the Palliative Care Consultants directly to discuss admission. Patients may be referred from the hospital to the hospice in the same way. Receipt of the referral will be acknowledged with the patient within two working days. Inpatient admissions will be prioritised according to the degree of urgency:
- Category A: Urgent, admission within 24 hours of referral
- Category B: Routine, admission within 5 working days of referral
Hospice respite care
The referral form above should be completed by the patient's GP or consultant, and sent to the Palliative Care Consultants. The referral form could be completed by the District Nurse or specialist home care nurse, or Social Services, in liaison with the patient's GP.
Non-malignant respite care
Weldmar Hospicecare Trust is in the process of reviewing our bedded respite service to patients with long term conditions. This review will be wide ranging and take many months to complete. As a consequence, we are not in a position to take any new referrals at present for this service.
The service for our existing long-term condition respite patients will continue at Joseph Weld Hospice until the review is complete.
Day hospice
Day hospice aims to improve the quality of life for patients, families and carers by providing palliative nursing and medical support. It offers activities and services determined by each individual patient's needs, capabilities, interests and hobbies.
Referral of patients to day hospice, reasons may include:
- monitoring of symptoms and provision of psychological and social support
- creative and therapeutic activities
- social interactions, mutual support and friendship
- respite for carers
