Enter and view: Sue Ryder Hospice, Thorpe Hall, Peterborough
Download (PDF 711.15 KB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Cambridge and Healthwatch Peterborough undertook an enter and view visit to Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice on 25 November 2024 at the request of the provider. They spoke to 5 people.
The hospice is not solely a place for end-of-life care; it also provides pain management services and psychological support for patients before they return home. The duration of stays varies, ranging from a few hours to up to three months. The hospice does not offer respite care at present as they are mainly a specialist palliative unit, although the Head of Clinical Services explained they are currently looking at a respite model.
At this location, people are referred to the service by a health professional, mainly by Clinical Nurse Specialists and District Nurses, but referrals also received from GP’s, hospital doctors, consultants and ward nurses. During the visit, concerns were identified by the team that not every patient requiring End of Life support is made aware of the option of care within the Hospice as an alternative to a hospital environment.
The hospice has publicised and held open days and meetings for health professionals, especially GPs to educate the value of a Hospice. People are not able to directly self-refer, however the management team are able to explain the process to individuals and families and will guide anyone who calls as to how to be referred.
When a patient is admitted to the ward or being cared for by the H@H service, the hospice ask what matters to each individual. The hospice team will do what they can to support them. The whole Multi- Disciplinary Team work together to provide symptom management, physical and emotional support.
The general approach to hospices has changed since the Covid-19 pandemic. Previously, members of the public had the impression hospices were like care homes which had many issues with an increase of infection. The bedroom doors were observed to be closed. However, staff explained that patients are always given the choice to keep their doors open or closed, and they can change their preference at any time. For patients at a high risk of falls, staff encourage keeping the door open, ensuring they communicate the reasoning clearly with both the patient and their family.
Healthwatch spoke to a visitor who had nothing but praise for the care or their partner was receiving. They said they had online counselling but did not feel any benefit. It was explained that sign posting to the Sue Ryder Grief Kind Space for peer support could be made.
The report contains a number of recommendations.