Trinity's Inpatient Centre Helping you get the most from your stay 1
Welcome to Trinity's Inpatient Centre We hope you will treat Trinity s Inpatient Centre as you would your own home. Your family and friends, including children, are welcome at any time. This guide aims to help you get the most from your stay by providing you with information about the people involved in your care, the facilities on offer and how things work in the Inpatient Centre. Staff at Trinity are here to take care of your needs and those of your family and friends. We can help with the physical, emotional, social or spiritual impact of your illness. We are here at every stage to help you make the decisions about your care that are right for you. There is no set routine at Trinity it is up to you to decide what you want to do and when. Our philosophy is to help our patients build the confidence they need to live every moment and we encourage you to think about how you would like to spend your days. "Trinity's specialist nurses and other team members are priceless. The quality of care is outstanding. The human warmth is inspiring." 3
About Trinity Hospice Trinity provides skilled and compassionate care to patients living in central and south west London, as well as support for their families. We care for people with many different kinds of conditions. Many of our patients will have cancer but we also care for those with long term illnesses such as heart or respiratory failure, lung, renal or neurological conditions including motor neurone disease or multiple sclerosis. It s the needs of the patient and their family that matter to us, not the diagnosis. As well as our inpatient facilities, we care for people in their own homes and in our outpatient centre, Mulberry Place. So that more people in our community have a better end of life experience, we share our specialist skills through education and support for other care providers, such as GPs, district nurses, hospitals and care homes. There is no charge for our services. Trinity is a charity and we receive just one third of our income from the NHS. This means we must raise 7 million each year or 13 every minute to continue providing the skilled, compassionate care our community relies on. To achieve this, we rely on the wonderful support of our community. 4
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Your Care Team Nursing team Trinity s inpatient nurses and healthcare assistants are here to help you cope with the practical and emotional impact of your illness. Your nurses are the first point of contact for you and your visitors so please do talk to them if you have any questions or concerns. Trinity s nursing teams are available 24 hours a day and work shifts on a rota basis. You may not always see the same nurse but all members of the team will be aware of your care plan and your preferences. Medical team Our medical team includes consultants, junior doctors and specialist registrars (registrars are qualified doctors who work under the supervision of a consultant). The team work closely with the nurses to ensure any troubling symptoms you may be experiencing are dealt with quickly. All members of the inpatient medical team are able to explain the benefits and side effects of any medicines you are taking and talk though any new medication you may need. Patient and Family Support Team You and those close to you may be experiencing a wide range of emotions as well as practical and financial issues and some may be overwhelming, leaving you feeling anxious and worried about how you are going to cope. This might include things like the effects of your illness and treatment, difficulties with your home, social or work life, communicating with those close to you, facing and making decisions, coping with loss and change, and planning for the future. The team can also help you to apply for benefits that you and your family may be entitled to. 6
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Your Care Team Physio and occupational therapy team Our inpatient physiotherapy and occupational therapy staff can help you maintain your independence and manage symptoms. They can provide advice on gentle exercise and you can choose whether to exercise on your own or in a group. Whatever your level, we can find something that suits. Regular exercise can help build your strength as well as improve your balance and co-ordination which, in turn, will help you maintain your mobility and cope with day-to day things like getting up from a chair or using the stairs. The therapists can also help you to manage any difficult symptoms your illness may be causing such as pain, breathlessness or fatigue. Complementary therapy These gentle therapies are soothing and relaxing and can have a positive impact on your sense of wellbeing. If you think any of the therapies outlined below might help you please talk to one of the nurses. Reflexology this involves gentle pressure and massage to your feet or hands and can have a deeply relaxing and re-energising effect. Massage this uses gentle, comforting touch to relieve aching muscles and relax you. Aromatherapy this uses essential oils extracted from plants to soothe and relax you. Reiki an ancient form of Japanese healing and energy balance which is done over clothes and is a deeply relaxing treatment. 8
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Inpatient Centre Facilities Our inpatient centre is fully equipped to meet your needs. It is arranged over two floors (ground and lower ground) and each floor has 11 single rooms with en-suite facilities and one three-bedded room for those who prefer the company of other patients. Your room All the rooms are spacious and light with en suite facilities including shower, sink (with shaver point) and toilet. You will have an electronically adjustable bed, a bedside chair (plus three extra chairs for visitors), a bedside cabinet and an over-bed table. There is a small refrigerator in each room to keep drinks cool. You will have either a balcony or terrace, with tables and chairs, overlooking our beautiful gardens. There is an external blind for privacy and/or shade which is operated from inside your room. Your bed can easily be moved onto your balcony or terrace if you wish. Each room has internal blinds on the wall leading into the main corridor. These can be kept open if you would like to see staff. If you prefer privacy, the blinds can be closed. You can operate them from anywhere in your room using a remote control handset. You will have your own wall mounted TV with all terrestrial channels, Freeview, radio, internet and email. We have a full entertainment package with all terrestrial channels and Freeview and you can bring your own DVDs, CDs or MP3 player, all of which can be played through your TV. 10
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Inpatient Centre Facilities Food and Refreshments Our meal service is very flexible so we can always provide you with something to eat. You will find a menu in your room and each day a member of the catering team will talk to you about your choices for the day. We are very flexible, so if you change your mind later in the day it s not a problem. Each floor on the inpatient centre has a coffee lounge with tea and coffee making facilities which you and your visitors are welcome to enjoy at any time, day or night. " Trinity is absolutely at the heart of this part of London - I like the fact that a hospice and its work are not hidden away but is part of our community." Jack Dee Gardens We have beautiful landscaped gardens that you and your visitors can use at any time, weather permitting. There are several large terraces with tables and chairs, and you are welcome to have meals and drinks in the garden. We also have two ponds so please ensure young children are accompanied by an adult at all times. Services on site Laundry if you have clothes or that need washing our laundry staff can do this for you. Newspapers and books a selection is available in both coffee lounges on the ground and lower ground floor. Hairdressing we have our own on site hairdresser who can offer a full range of services including advice on hair loss and wigs. 12
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Inpatient Centre Facilities Your stay with us There is no set routine at Trinity you decide what you want to do and when. Our philosophy is to help our patients build the confidence they need to live every moment and we encourage you to think about how you would like to spend your days. You can stay in the privacy of your room or relax in the open areas, coffee lounges, café and gardens that our Inpatient Centre offers. You are welcome to spend time outside the Centre with family and friends or with a Trinity nurse or volunteer. Clapham, with its shops, pubs and coffee bars and the wide open spaces of the common is on our doorstep. Personal possessions You are welcome to bring personal possessions from home, such as photographs, books, CDs and DVDs. (Please bear in mind that space is a little more limited in the shared bedrooms.) There is plenty of wardrobe space for your day and night clothes so bring the things you like and feel comfortable in. We will provide all your bed linen and towels and although we can provide some toiletries, you might like to bring your own. You are very welcome to bring your own duvet and pillow if you wish. 14
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Frequently Asked Questions We hope that we have covered most of your queries in this booklet but below are some of the more frequently asked questions about our services that we hope you will find useful. How long can I stay as an inpatient? Many people find that a relatively short period of inpatient care makes a real difference to how they are feeling and enables them to return home feeling more comfortable. In fact, 40% or our inpatients come for a short stay and then go home. Trinity has just 28 beds and there is a high demand for them. This means we cannot be a permanent alternative to care either in your own home, your care home or nursing home. If your symptoms are well managed but it would be difficult for you to go back to your own home, then we will always help you and your family and friends to find other places where you can continue your care. Will Trinity still provide support when I go home? Yes. Trinity provides specialist nursing care in people s own homes so we can continue to support you and your family and friends when you return home. Our nurses do home visits seven days a week and are available on the telephone 24 hours a day to give advice and support. They also work closely with GPs, district nurses and social services carers. If you would like to know more about these services, please talk to a member of the nursing team. 16
Aren t hospices just for people who have a few weeks to live? No. Trinity provides care to people whose illnesses are no longer curable and who have symptoms that need our specialist support. While some people using our services may only have a few weeks to live, others may have many months or even years to live. Our approach is to ensure you live life to the full whatever time you have left. Can I go out while I am an inpatient? Yes, you can carry on doing the things you enjoy like eating out or going shopping. If you need support to go out, a Trinity nurse, healthcare assistant or a volunteer can go with you. And you can, of course, go out with family and friends. What if I need to go to hospital while I am a Trinity inpatient? If you need to go to a hospital appointment, we can arrange transport and someone to go with you if that is what you would like. If you need to be admitted to hospital for a day or two, your room at Trinity will be here when you return. Can my visitors stay overnight? Yes, overnight visitors are very welcome. We can make up a bed or beds in your room very easily. We can also make your own bed into a double bed if you wish. 17
How to Support Trinity People are often surprised to discover that Trinity is a charity and that we receive just one third of our income from the NHS. This means we must raise 7 million each year to continue providing the skilled, compassionate care our community relies on. That s 13 every minute. It s only with the support of local people, businesses and community groups that we can do this. There are many ways you, your family and friends can support us: > Give a gift > Join us at an event > Host your own fundraising event > Introduce a company to Trinity > Leave a legacy to Trinity > Share your story > Donate to our shops " That there is such a wonderful and dedicated centre where help of a most professional kind is at hand is beyond comforting." These are just a few of the ways you can help. If you would like to know more, or have any questions, please contact us on 020 7787 1088 or email fundraising@trinityhospice.org.uk Thank you for your support. 18
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Contacting Trinity Trinity Hospice 30 Clapham Common North Side London SW4 0RN Call: 020 7787 1000 Email: enquiries@trinityhospice.org.uk Visit: www.trinityhospice.org.uk Charity number 1013945 Date of publication: August 2013 20