OUR CARE
Visiting our hospices
We understand this is a difficult time for you. If you have any queries about visiting our hospices, please talk to our nursing team, who will gladly help. Thank you for your support and understanding.
Visiting times to suit you
Visitors are more than welcome. There are no set visiting hours at either of our hospices which enables family and friends to visit at times that suit them and the patient.
We do not restrict the number of visitors unless specifically directed by you or those close to you. We try and allow a period of time in the afternoon for you to rest. We also operate protected mealtimes between midday and 1pm and 5pm and 6pm to enable you to enjoy your meals free from interruptions.
Help us to keep our patients safe
Before visiting, please ensure you feel well and don’t have a heavy cold or sickness that may be easily spread. To prevent the spread of infection, we ask that all visitors wash their hands and use the sanitiser provided before seeing patients.
There is no requirement to wear a face mask, but they are available if you wish to – our clinical team will continue to wear masks when in close contact with patients on the ward.
If clinical staff ask you to move out of the room (e.g., whilst undertaking care), please wait to be directed to an appropriate waiting area.
Food and drinks
Our protected mealtimes are between midday and 1pm and 5pm to 6pm to enable patients to enjoy their meals free from interruptions. However, those visiting the hospices and wishing to support and encourage their loved ones with their meals and drinks are welcome.
If a family member wants to enjoy a meal with the patient, we can also make this happen when visiting our hospices. Family and friends can also order meals from our Catering team.
As a guide, patient mealtimes are usually around these times:
Breakfast 8am
Lunch 12pm
Dinner 5pm
Visiting our hospices: Staying overnight
Families can stay overnight, but to ensure our hospices’ safety and smooth running, this should be discussed with the ward team in advance, and each request will be considered on a case-by-case basis. It’s standard practice for our night staff to check on patients at regular intervals overnight, so if you stay with a patient, the staff will let you know what to expect.
Bringing younger visitors
Children are welcome, but please talk to the Nurse in Charge before visiting our hospices with those aged 16 or under. We are happy to support you in talking with them about your illness, and we have close links with Penhaligon’s Friends – the children’s bereavement charity in Cornwall.
We’re here to talk
At both our hospices our Patient and Family Support Services team are on hand to support both your loved one staying with us and you.
Our qualified counsellors aim is to offer person centred emotional care, to ensure that the needs of both the patient and their loved ones are addressed and met. They provide ongoing emotional support and signposting.
Their work also often encompasses assisting families to help support children that may be affected by terminal illness. They have resources available to help young people, so that they are better prepared and experience a comfortable, welcoming environment when visiting a much-loved relative.
Calling us for updates
You are welcome to call our hospices for updates on your loved one; we know this can reassure you. Please avoid calling whilst our ward teams’ handovers are taking place in the morning – please call after 10am.
Call our main hospice telephone numbers:
Mount Edgcumbe Hospice St Austell 01726 65711
St Julia’s Hospice Hayle 01736 759070
During the day, calls will come through to our volunteer receptionists, whilst out of normal visiting hours, calls are redirected to the Ward Office – please allow time for our team to answer.
Helping you to stay in touch
We don’t restrict the use of mobile phones and other devices when you are visiting our hospices; we ask that consideration be given to the comfort of those in our care, keeping ringtones low and conversations private. We have our own available to facilitate video calls for those without devices.
Free guest WIFI is also available in our hospices; please ask a team member for our password.
Need more information?
There is a copy of our Patient Handbook in each room at our hospices, with more detailed information about your loved one’s stay with us and about visiting. Please ask a member of our team if you can’t find it.
