Being told that you or someone you love and care for has a life limiting illness is tough news to receive. The care an individual needs at this time will be focused upon supporting him or her to have the best possible quality of life, independence and control over their life and care. This is known as palliative care.
Palliative and end of life care is about treatment and care focusing on the needs of the person as well as their family, carers and friends. It is not just about managing pain and other symptoms, but includes support to deal with emotional, social and spiritual needs as well as bereavement support and help dealing with the financial effects of facing an end of life situation.
The following page will guide you through the palliative care options that exist in Dorset and who you can get in touch with for assistance. For a more general overview of palliative care, you may also be interested in our page on End of Life Care & Planning.
NHS Palliative Care in Dorset
The Dorset HealthCare NHS Foundation Trust provides support and care for patients with a terminal illness who are nearing the end of their lives. They aim to offer personalised and proactive palliative care by making sure the patient is as comfortable as possible in the place of their own choosing, by relieving pain and other distressing symptoms. They can also provide psychological, social and spiritual support for the patient and their family.
This service is provided across Dorset in patient’s own homes and in the community hospitals. You can find out more information by visiting the NHS website through the link below.
Advance Directives
An Advance Directive is a document that can be written by somebody approaching the end of their life which can be a guide for the medical treatments they would or wouldn’t like to receive in the future.
This is usually to do with life-sustaining treatments when they aren’t in the condition to make the decision for themselves anymore.
For full information, you can take a look at Age Space’s dedicated page on Advance Directives.
Hospices in Dorset
Dorset has three hospices to serve the elderly population in the county who are coming towards the end of their life. These are organisations that are exclusively dedicated to palliative care service, meaning their staff are specialised in caring for people at this point of their lives.
Most hospices also have in-patient wards for people to stay in at the end of their life, as well as working to provide advice, support and comfort to patients and their loved ones.
Forest Holme Hospice, Poole
Forest Holme is a purpose-built, specialist palliative care unit which is a part of Poole Hospital, offering a tranquil setting for the care of patients and their families.
They have facilities for outpatients, including relaxed medical appointments with specialist palliative care nurses. The team can also visit patients at home to provide expert medical advice, emotional support and assist in managing any symptoms they may be struggling with, such as pain, sickness, shortness of breath, constipation, tiredness or a poor appetite.
There is a 12-bed inpatient ward at the hospice itself, where they provide expert care to people with advanced, disease-causing and complex problems. Nursing care can be specially tailored to each individual’s needs and preferences.
For more information on the facilities available at Forest Holme Hospice, you can get in touch with them or visit the website using the details provided below.
- Telephone: 01202 670644
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: Forest Holme Hospice, 5 Seldown Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1TS
- Visit Website
Lewis Manning Hospice, Poole
Lewis-Manning Hospice is a registered charity that is dedicated to helping people with life limiting illnesses and their families across East Dorset. They constantly provide extraordinary care for hundreds of patients though their range of services, that include:
These services are available to patients in a wide catchment area that covers East Dorset, allowing them to live their life to the fullest and enjoy all the fun and laughter that they did before their diagnosis.
For full information on Lewis Manning Hospice and any of their services, you can get in touch or visit their website using the details provided below.
- Telephone: 01202 708470
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: Longfleet House, 56 Longfleet Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 2JD
- Visit Website
Weldmar Hospice Trust, Poundbury
Weldmar Hospice provide specialist end of life care to people in Dorset who are living with a life limiting illness, which includes conditions such as cancer, motor neurone disease and heart disease. They also work to support their loved ones throughout what can be one of life’s most difficult journeys.
As well as having doctors and nurses on-site, their approach to providing specialist care also extends to services such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy, should patients require them.
Weldmar Hospice provides this care throughout the West, South, and North of Dorset with their team of Weldmar Community Nurses and their Weldmar at Home service. They also have an Inpatient Unit situated on beautiful grounds in Dorchester.
For full information on Weldmar Hospice and its services, you can get in touch using the contact details below or visit their website.
- Telephone: 01305 215300
- Contact Form
- Address: Bridport Road, Poundbury, Dorset, DT1 3SD
- Visit Website
Bereavement Support Services in Dorset
In this difficult time, it’s important not to forget the emotional care and support that you and your other family members may require, particularly in the bereavement period. There are a number of great organisations in Dorset that can provide help and support for you in this period, including support groups, advice services and counselling.
For full information, you can take a look at our page on Bereavement Support Services in Dorset.
