What is palliative care?

Palliative care is the active total care of a patient’s needs from first diagnosis of a terminal illness until

their last days.

What are these needs?

A terminal illness may bring with it physical, psychological and spiritual needs. Such needs are

best attended to by experts from many disciplines. These experts form the ‘multidisciplinary palliative

care team’, which is based in the hospice but extends out into the community and local hospitals.

What is a hospice?

A hospice is a place where people diagnosed with terminal illness go, for short periods, to have

specialist palliative care, when this cannot be optimally provided at home or in hospital. It is also a

centre for advice, training, and education of local health care professionals.

Is a hospice a dark and depressing place?

No the hospice is a beautifully designed building, full of hopeful people and light. Patients go there to fulfil

their potential for improved wellbeing and to receive a full measure of comfort even in the most serious

illness, through the caring support of the hospice team.

What professionals make up the ‘multidisciplinary team’ at the Donegal Hospice?

The team includes doctors, hospice nurses, physiotherapist, and occupational therapist, social

worker, bereavement counsellor, chaplains and community team nurses.

When are people admitted to a hospice?

Most people with a terminal illness prefer to be cared for in their own homes. A small number of patients

need to come to the hospice and generally the reasons for their admission are as follows: -

(a) Those who require the combined skills of the hospice team for control of difficult terminal

phase symptoms or problems which cannot be managed at home.

(b) Those who, at any stage in their life-limiting illness, require intensive therapeutic support and

access to facilities which are only available at a specialist unit (the hospice).

(c) Those who need respite from their home conditions.

How long is the average stay in a hospice?

The average stay is from 10 to 14 days. Ultimately length of stay in a hospice is determined only by

need. People who are in a deteriorating condition are never moved elsewhere. This is a fundamental

rule of hospice care.

Who can ask for me to be admitted to a hospice?

Anyone can request hospice or home care service, but all referrals must be approved by your General

practitioner or, alternatively, the hospital consultant caring for you. It makes sense that referrals are made

via your GP in the first instance, to facilitate good communication and co-operation between all health

care partners.

Does the hospice only care for cancer patients?

No, the palliative care service assesses all referred patients on a basis of palliative care need only.

However, some of the more chronic illnesses that people suffer can be very labour intensive and

protracted and the hospice must first decide what resources it can commit to care for such patients. We

do this at our regular admissions meetings where all requests for admission are discussed, placed in order

of need, and replied to urgently.

What are the visiting hours in the hospice?

Visiting is very informal in the hospice, so there are no set hours. We would ask friends and relatives to

avoid meal or washing times and to always check in with the senior nurse when visiting. We advise

families not to crowd ill patients and to visit in small groups. If a patient is very ill a relative or carer may

wish to stay overnight in the hospice and this can be arranged.

Is it possible for hospice trained nurses to visit me in my home or in the hospital?

Hospice trained nurses, working in the homes of patients, have been active throughout Donegal for

over a decade. With the opening of the Donegal hospice, doctors from the hospice will be working

with these specialist nurses in the homes of patients. The hospital palliative care support team at

Letterkenny General Hospital has been recently formed to advise on hospital in-patients.

Do I have to pay to stay in the hospice?

No, stay in hospice is absolutely free. However, the Donegal Hospice is a charitable organisation

totally dependent on the renowned generosity of the people of Donegal. We would certainly be very

grateful for any donation, large or small, you might like to give.

Are local people encouraged to volunteer their services freely to the Donegal hospice?

Very much so. Volunteers give freely of their time, energy and skills to do many simple but important

hospice tasks, such as sitting with a patient. Volunteers are cherished and valued by patients and

staff alike.

What is Hospice Day Care?

Day care is offered to hospice patients who are well enough to remain at home but would benefit from

regular visits to the hospice day unit. The services available during these visits are comprehensive and

include symptom control monitoring, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and holistic care of body, mind

and spirit. Day care services commenced in the Summer of 2003.

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Dr. Donal Martin

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Sr. Lucy McGettigan